Trump Signs Order Banning Trans Athletes from Women’s Sports

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, marking his latest move on transgender issues since returning to office. “From now on, women’s sports will be only for women,” Trump declared during the White House signing ceremony, surrounded by female athletes and children. He claimed the move would “end the war on women’s sports.” The order authorizes federal agencies to withhold funds from schools that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. “If you let men take over women’s teams or invade locker rooms, you will be investigated and risk losing federal funding,” Trump warned. Trump also announced plans to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change its rules on transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He further directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to deny visas to transgender women seeking to compete in U.S. sporting events. This order follows Trump’s broader agenda on gender policies, including reversing recognition of non-binary genders, banning transgender personnel from the military, and restricting gender transition procedures for minors. The decision aligns with efforts by Republican lawmakers, who previously passed a bill in the House of Representatives restricting transgender participation in women’s sports. Many conservatives argue the move protects fairness in women’s athletics, while critics see it as part of Trump’s broader culture war on LGBTQ+ rights.