The president has directed local governments to prevent trans athletes from competing with women in future state finals.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump issued a warning to California on May 27, saying he intends to withdraw federal education funds if the state fails to comply with an executive order that bars transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
He criticised officials, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, allowing male athletes to compete with women at last week’s event, and slamming women’s competitors from the state finals next weekend.
“As a man, he was an average competitor. As a woman, this transition is practically invincible,” Trump wrote. “This is not fair and is totally mean to women and girls.”
The president said he has directed law enforcement officials to prevent unnamed athletes from competing in upcoming events.
He was planning to talk to Newsom about the issue on Tuesday.
“The governor himself said, ‘It’s unfair.’ Would I talk to him today to find out how he wants to go? ” Trump wrote.
At the time of publication, no updates have been made from the White House or the governor’s office regarding the conversation.
The problematic trans athlete was estimated to be AB Hernandez from Yulpa Valley High School in Southern California. He surpassed the run by 4 feet on May 17th in a triple jump with a 20-foot, 1.5-inch, 41-foot, 4-inch jump, and a triple jump of 4 feet above the run.
“(The) proposed pilot is a rational and respectful way to navigate complex issues without undermining competitive fairness. This is what Izzy Gardon, a spokesman for Newsom’s office, told the Epoch Times via email. “The governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach.”
Newsom’s Office also pointed to 21 other states with laws that allow trans athletes to compete with others of the gender they have identified.
Newsom previously said it was “deeply unfair” to allow male athletes who identify as transgender to compete with women.
“I respect sports, so the issue of fairness is completely legal.”
He said navigating the issue is challenging because of the emotions involved.
“There’s humility and grace too… that these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, suffer from anxiety and depression,” Newsom said.
At a press conference held in Modesto on April 2, the governor highlighted his commitment to caring leadership and noted the difficult nature of the issue.
“I don’t know that as a domestic executive there are bigger champions for LGBTQ rights, which means that I’ve been doing more than I do over decades,” says Newsom. “So I’m deeply sensitive and empathetic to the community.”
He proposed a solution that proved elusive on all sides.
“I couldn’t understand that, and I’m transparent about this, especially at my party,” Newsom said. “And as long as someone can do that in a way that allows them to have respect and responsibility and find a kind of balance, I’m open to that debate.”
The governor also said state statistics show a small number of trans athletes competing in California’s public K-12 school system, including 5.8 million students.
“You’re talking about a very small number of people, a very small number of athletes. My responsibility is to address the pressing issues of our time,” Newsom said.
The governor’s office says that out of the 510,000+ NCAA members there are fewer than 10 transgender college athletes nationwide.
