Trump Signs Executive Order Barring Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports

Trump signs Executive order 

United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, marking his latest policy move on gender-related issues since returning to office.

The order, signed on Wednesday at the White House, mandates that women’s sports be exclusively for biological females, with Trump declaring, “With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over.”

Surrounded by female athletes and children, Trump emphasized his administration’s stance against allowing transgender women to compete in female sports. “We will defend the proud tradition of female athletes and will not allow men to beat up, injure, and cheat our women and girls,” he stated to applause from supporters.

Federal Funding at Risk for Schools Allowing Transgender Athletes

The executive order empowers U.S. government agencies to deny federal funding to schools that permit transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports.

“If you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated… and risk your federal funding,” Trump warned.

Additionally, he announced plans to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to revise its policies on transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Visa Restrictions for Transgender Athletes

As part of the new directive, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been instructed to deny visa applications from individuals attempting to compete as women under what Trump called “fraudulent claims.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been tasked with lobbying the IOC to “change everything having to do with the Olympics and this ridiculous subject.”

Trump’s Broader Stance on Transgender Rights

The executive order follows a series of controversial policies targeting transgender individuals. Earlier in his term, Trump reinstated policies recognizing only two genders—male and female—at the federal level, reversing previous accommodations for non-binary individuals.

In January, the Republican-led House of Representatives passed a bill restricting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Additionally, Trump signed executive orders banning what he called “transgender ideology” in the military and prohibiting gender transition procedures for individuals under 19.

During his 2024 re-election campaign, Trump frequently attacked Democratic candidate Kamala Harris over her support for transgender rights, using slogans such as, “Kamala Harris is for they/them. President Trump is for you.”

The issue of transgender participation in sports remains a highly polarizing debate in the U.S., with conservatives arguing for fairness in women’s sports and liberals advocating for inclusivity.