Trump Enacts Executive Order Prohibiting Transgender Women and Girls from Competing in Female Sports

Department of Research, Studies and International News 06-02-2025

In a move that has reignited debates surrounding gender identity and sports, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order barring transgender women and girls from participating in female athletic competitions. The order, signed on Wednesday, also places financial consequences on educational institutions that allow trans athletes to compete in women’s and girls’ sports categories.

Under the directive, any school or educational institution that receives federal funding and permits transgender women to join female sports teams or access women’s locker rooms will risk losing government financial support. Additionally, the order instructs federal agencies to advocate for policies that enforce sex-based divisions in sports on the international stage. It also mandates discussions with major athletic organizations and governing bodies to promote what the administration describes as “fair and safe” regulations designed to protect female athletes.

Trump Declares a “Victory” for Women’s Sports

In announcing the executive order, President Trump framed the policy as a necessary measure to safeguard fairness in women’s sports, portraying transgender inclusion as a threat to the integrity of female athletic competition.

“We are sending a clear message to every educational institution funded by taxpayers: If you allow biological males to dominate women’s sports or enter female locker rooms, you will face investigations for Title IX violations, and your funding will be in jeopardy,” Trump stated.

Title IX, a landmark civil rights law enacted in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. The Trump administration argues that permitting transgender women to compete in female sports undermines the original intent of this law.

Declaring an end to what he called the “war on women’s sports,” Trump insisted that his administration would no longer tolerate what he described as an unfair playing field.

“We refuse to stand by and watch men overpower and outmatch female athletes,” he declared. “This stops today. Nobody is going to be able to change that because when we act, we act with authority.”

Transgender Inclusion in Sports: A Polarizing Debate

The participation of transgender women in women’s sports has been a contentious issue in recent years, frequently fueling cultural and political debates in the United States. While the number of transgender athletes competing in high-level sports remains relatively low, the topic has gained significant media attention.

During a U.S. Senate hearing in December, Charlie Baker, president of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), testified that he was aware of fewer than 10 transgender athletes among the 520,000 college competitors nationwide. Despite the relatively small number of affected individuals, the issue has remained at the forefront of the broader political discourse.

Public opinion on the matter has also shifted. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 69% of Americans believe transgender athletes should only be allowed to compete in sports categories that align with their sex assigned at birth, reflecting a seven-point increase from a similar poll conducted in 2021.

Mixed Reactions from Athletic Organizations

Reactions to Trump’s executive order have been divided. Supporters of the policy, including NCAA president Charlie Baker, welcomed the move as a step toward clearer national guidelines.

“We strongly believe that establishing a single, uniform standard for athletic eligibility will serve student-athletes far better than the current patchwork of inconsistent state laws and legal disputes,” Baker said. “The NCAA Board of Governors is reviewing the executive order and will take appropriate steps to align with its provisions in the coming days, pending further guidance from the administration.”

 “We knew this day was likely coming,” the organization stated. “This administration has repeatedly taken simplistic approaches to complex issues, often targeting marginalized communities in the process. Despite this setback, we will continue fighting for a future in which sports remain a space where everyone is welcomed and valued.”

“All women and girls, including transgender women and girls, deserve the opportunity to play sports, control their own bodies, and pursue careers free from discrimination,” GLAAD stated. “Anti-LGBTQ politicians who have a history of attacking women’s rights and restricting access to healthcare have no credibility in conversations about protecting women and girls.”