President Donald Trump threatened Tuesday to pull federal funding from California unless the state stops allowing males to compete in women’s sports.
In a social media post, Trump criticized California for continuing “to ILLEGALLY allow ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.’” He highlighted a May 24 event where a 16-year-old male won both the women’s long jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation’s (CIF) Southern Section Masters, earning a spot in the state championships later this week.
“This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won ‘everything,’ and is now qualified to compete in the ‘State Finals’ next weekend,” Trump wrote in Tuesday’s post. “THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to.”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 27, 2025
The executive order, signed by Trump in February, bans male athletes from women’s sports at schools, universities, and athletic associations nationwide, threatening to strip federal funds from non-compliant institutions.
The CIF, which oversees California’s high school sports, responded to Trump’s order by stating it would continue to allow “transgender” athletes to compete based on “gender identity,” citing a 2013 law.
In a March episode of California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s podcast, he acknowledged concerns over “transgender” athletes in girls’ sports during an exchange with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
“The young man who’s about to win the state championship in the long jump in female sports, that shouldn’t happen,” Kirk said. “You, as the governor, should step out and say no….Would you do something like that? Would you say no men in female sports?”
“I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness — it’s deeply unfair,” Newsom responded. “I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you.”
In his Tuesday post, Trump said he plans to speak with Newsom directly about the issue. “In the meantime,” the president added, “I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!”
The California dispute mirrors past conflicts in Maine, where Democratic Gov. Janet Mills refused to comply with Trump’s executive order. The administration briefly froze federal funding to Maine before reversing course amid legal challenges.