Schools that allow transgender girls in women’s sports risk losing federal funding under Trump’s new executive order

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring transgender student-athletes from competing in women’s sports, a move that has reignited fierce debate over gender identity and fairness in athletics. The order stipulates that schools permitting transgender girls to compete in female sports categories could face federal funding cuts.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Trump framed the measure as a move to “protect women’s sports,” echoing arguments that allowing transgender athletes to compete undermines fairness and biological distinctions in competition. Flanked by young female athletes, the president declared, “We are standing up for fairness, for safety, and for the future of women’s sports in America.”

The executive order builds upon previous efforts by conservatives to restrict transgender participation in sports, reflecting a broader push to define sex-based eligibility rules at the federal level. Republican lawmakers and conservative advocacy groups have welcomed the decision, calling it a necessary step to ensure competitive integrity.

However, the order has sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ organisations, civil rights groups, and Democratic leaders, who have condemned it as discriminatory. Opponents argue that the measure violates the rights of transgender students and could lead to legal challenges. “This is an attack on vulnerable students,” said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), vowing to fight the order in court.

The policy also puts schools in a difficult position. Those that continue to allow transgender athletes in women’s sports could face severe financial consequences, including cuts to federal education funding. With enforcement mechanisms still unclear, legal battles are expected to arise over whether the federal government has the authority to impose such a restriction.

Trump’s latest move signals an aggressive stance on transgender issues as he seeks to solidify his conservative base ahead of upcoming political battles. With tensions over gender rights growing, the executive order is likely to be a flashpoint in the broader debate over LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.