President Donald Trump is threatening to block federal funding if California continues to allow transgender athletes to play in female sports in schools.
Trump’s post was followed by the California Interscholastic Federation’s announcement of a new “pilot entry process” to allow greater participation by biological girls in this weekend’s state track and field championships.
The two developments followed a transgender high school athlete winning the girls’ triple and long jump competitions last weekend at the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Masters Meet. The athlete is scheduled to advance to the state championship set for Friday and Saturday.
“This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won ‘everything,’ and is now qualified to compete in the ‘State Finals’ next weekend,” Trump posted Tuesday morning on Truth Social. “As a Male, he was a less than average competitor. As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable.”
Trump called the athlete’s success unfair and “TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.”
The president said federal funding will be held back, possibly permanently, if California fails to follow his Feb. 5 executive order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” Trump’s order referred to Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in sports and other activities for schools that receive federal money.
Trump noted Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed participation by transgender athletes is “unfair” and said he planned to speak with Newsom later Tuesday. Newsom said it was an “issue of fairness” during an interview with conservative Charlie Kirk on the governor’s podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” in March.
“In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals,” Trump said. “This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!”
After the president’s comments, the California Interscholastic Federation announced the addition of a “pilot entry process” for the state’s high school track and field championship for biological girls. CIF said the decision was made at the end of last weekend’s qualifying meets and extends to biological female athletes who would have earned the next qualifying mark in the finals at their section meet but did not achieve the CIF state at-large mark.
“The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes,” CIF said its post on X.
In response to The Center Square’s request for comment, the Governor’s Office issued a statement praising the CIF’s decision, which it noted was made before Trump’s post.
“CIF’s proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness – a model worth pursuing,” said Izzy Gardon, Newsom’s director of communications.
“The Governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach,” Gardon said in the statement to The Center Square.
Newsom was asked at an April 2 Modesto news conference whether there should be a law preventing transgender athletes from playing in women’s or girls’ sports. The governor said, “… I’m about as transparent about this as anybody out there, particularly in my party, on this, and to the extent someone can and do it in a way that’s respectful and responsible and could find a kind of balance, then I’m open to that discussion … You’re talking about a very small number of people, a very small number of athletes, and my responsibility is to address the pressing issues of our time.”
California is one of 22 states with laws requiring transgender students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. The law is Assembly Bill 1266, passed in 20123, and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown.
Of the 5.8 million K-12 students in the state, the number of active transgender student athletes is estimated to be in the single digits, the Governor’s Press Office told The Center Square.
Trump’s post led to mixed reactions from California lawmakers, right down party lines.
“Gavin Newsom is going to cost California billions in federal funding just so he can let biological males take home the top trophies in girls athletic competitions,” U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, posted on X. “This is as twisted as it gets.”
But state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, called the president a “bully” in a statement Tuesday morning.
“Trump is now targeting California just like he targeted Maine: Threatening to withhold federal funds if California doesn’t follow his illegal edicts targeting transgender people,” Wiener said. “California law protects trans people. That won’t change. Maine won in court. So will California.
“There’s only one answer to a bully: No,” the senator said. “As Maine Governor Janet Mills said, ‘See you in court.’ ”
The Trump administration in early May agreed to stop efforts to freeze federal money for a Maine child nutrition program over its disagreement with the state’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in female sports. After the administration’s actions, Maine dropped its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over the matter.
