The president is directing local authorities to prevent a transgender-identifying athlete from competing against women in the upcoming state finals.
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump issued a warning to California on May 27 that he intends to rescind federal education funds if the state does not abide by his executive order that banned male athletes who identify as transgender from competing in women’s sports.
“California … continues to ILLEGALLY allow MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,” the president wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He criticized officials, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, for allowing a male athlete to compete against women at an event the prior week, thus bumping a female competitor from the state finals next weekend.
“As a male, he was a less than average competitor. As a female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable,” Trump wrote. “THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.”
The president said he is directing law enforcement officials to prevent the unnamed athlete from competing in the upcoming event.
The president advised the Golden State that “large-scale” funding, which totals about $13.6 billion annually, will be cut, “maybe permanently,” due to the lack of compliance with his Feb. 5 order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”
He expressed an intent to speak with Newsom about the issue on May 27.
“The Governor, himself, said it is ‘UNFAIR.’ I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go???” Trump wrote.
As of publication time, no updates have emerged from the White House or the governor’s office regarding the conversation.
