U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that bars transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. The order, signed on Wednesday at the White House, is part of his administration’s broader policies regarding gender and sports regulations.
“From now on, women’s sports will be only for women,” Trump declared before signing the order. He was joined by female athletes and children, along with key Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.
The executive order directs federal agencies to withhold funding from schools that allow transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams. Trump made it clear that institutions failing to comply would face consequences. “If you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated… and risk your federal funding,” he stated.
Trump also announced his intention to push the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to revise its policies on transgender athletes ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He has instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to convey to the IOC that the U.S. expects changes regarding transgender participation in international competitions.
Additionally, Trump said he had ordered Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to deny visa applications from individuals who, in his words, were “made by men attempting to fraudulently enter the United States while identifying themselves as women athletes.”
Trump has made transgender policies a focal point of his second term. At his inauguration, he declared that U.S. government policy would only recognize two genders: male and female. This reversed previous policies that allowed a third-gender option in some official settings.
Since returning to office, he has taken multiple steps regarding gender-related policies. Days after his inauguration, he signed an order barring transgender individuals from serving in the military, calling it a move to eliminate “transgender ideology” from the armed forces. He also restricted gender transition procedures for individuals under 19.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump frequently criticized Democrats on transgender issues, using it as a key attack against his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. One of his campaign slogans, “Kamala Harris is for they/them. President Trump is for you,” played into the ongoing culture war over gender identity.
His latest executive order follows a bill passed in January by the Republican-led House of Representatives, which placed restrictions on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.
