President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports, declaring that “the war on women’s sports is over.”
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump stood before a crowd of children, female athletes, and top Republican lawmakers as he signed the order, titled No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order.
“From now on, women’s sports will be only for women,” Trump said, drawing loud applause. “We will defend the proud tradition of female athletes, and we will not allow men to beat up, injure, and cheat our women and our girls.”
The order allows federal agencies to cut funding to schools that permit transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams.
“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.
Push for Olympic Rule Changes and Visa Bans
Trump also announced plans to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to revise its rules on transgender participation before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I have directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make it clear to the IOC that we want them to change everything having to do with the Olympics and this ridiculous subject,” Trump said.
Additionally, Trump said he had ordered Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem to deny visas to transgender women attempting to enter the United States as athletes.
“We will not allow men pretending to be women to fraudulently enter our country and compete in our Games,” he declared.
Also Read:
- Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request to Sack Suspended INEC Commissioners Over Bribery Allegations
- Tinubu Walks Out on Lagos Advisory Council Over Delayed Reinstatement of Obasa
Transgender Rights Under Attack
The executive order is the latest in a series of policies targeting transgender individuals since Trump returned to office. In his inauguration speech, he declared that the U.S. government would only recognize two genders, male and female, ending policies that provided a third gender option in some settings.
Days later, Trump signed another order banning transgender people from serving in the military and restricting gender transition procedures for minors under 19.
While transgender people make up a small percentage of the U.S. population, Trump has repeatedly used the issue to rally conservative support. During his 2024 re-election campaign, he frequently attacked Democrats over transgender rights, using the slogan: “Kamala Harris is for they/them. President Trump is for you.”
His administration has also targeted policies allowing gender reassignment procedures for prisoners.
A Divisive Culture War Issue
Trump’s latest move aligns with efforts by Republicans to restrict transgender participation in sports. The Republican-led House of Representatives passed a bill in January severely limiting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
Supporters of Trump’s order argue it protects fairness in female athletics. Critics, however, accuse his administration of fueling discrimination and using transgender issues as a political weapon.