Trump signs executive order banning trans athletes from women's sports

Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that seeks to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. This move is part of his ongoing push to limit rights for transgender people, a focus of his administration since returning to office.

"From now on women's sports will be only for women," Trump declared just before signing the order at the White House, with dozens of children and female athletes standing beside him. "With this executive order, the war on women's sports is over," he added, surrounded by cheering supporters.

Among those attending the signing were prominent Republican figures such as US House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congresswoman Marjorie Green, both of whom have been vocal on issues related to gender and sports.

“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,” Trump stated, as the audience erupted in applause.

Trump’s executive order grants US government agencies the power to deny federal funding to schools that allow transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports 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.

Trump pushes for Olympic change

As part of his broader agenda, Trump also announced plans to encourage the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change its rules regarding transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He stated that he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "make it clear" to the IOC that he wanted "them to change everything having to do with the Olympics and having to do with this absolutely ridiculous subject."

Furthermore, Trump directed Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem to block visa applications from "men attempting to fraudulently enter the United States while identifying themselves as women athletes to try and get into the Games."

Ongoing attack on transgender rights

This latest order is part of a broader strategy by Trump, a Republican, to target gender non-conforming individuals. Since the start of his second term, Trump has taken several actions aimed at curbing transgender rights, despite the relatively small number of transgender people in the United States.

On the day of his inauguration, Trump announced that US government policy would only recognise two genders – male and female – effectively ending the option for a third gender in some contexts. Shortly after, he signed an order to eliminate what he called "transgender ideology" from the military, which included an effective ban on transgender troops. He also restricted gender transition procedures for individuals under the age of 19.

The issue of transgender rights played a significant role during the 2024 election campaign. Trump repeatedly attacked his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, on the topic, using lines such as, "Kamala Harris is for they/them. President Trump is for you," to capitalise on a culture war surrounding transgender rights. He also criticised Harris's former stance on supporting gender reassignment surgery for prisoners.

Trump’s signing of this order follows a similar move by the Republican-led House of Representatives in January, which passed a bill severely restricting transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports. As transgender visibility has increased in the US, many conservatives have rallied behind efforts to protect what they see as fairness in women’s sports.

Agency