Trump Administration Freezes $175 Million for University of Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Trump administration has frozen approximately $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania due to the school’s policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. This decision, announced on Wednesday, comes as the university faces scrutiny regarding its adherence to Title IX regulations.

A senior White House official confirmed that this funding pause is a proactive measure following President Trump’s executive order, titled ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,’ signed on February 5. Although the Department of Education is conducting a separate investigation into UPenn, the funding freeze is not directly tied to this inquiry.

This funding freeze addresses payments from the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services, which contribute significantly to UPenn’s federal funding totaling around $1 billion annually. According to a university spokesperson, UPenn has yet to receive any official notification of the funding disruption.

“We have always complied with NCAA and Ivy League policies regarding student participation on athletic teams,” the UPenn spokesperson stated. “We have been in the past, and remain today, in full compliance with the regulations that apply to not only UPenn but all of our NCAA and Ivy League peer institutions.”

The center of this controversy is Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete who competed on the women’s swimming team after transitioning. Thomas gained national attention for her performance at the 2022 NCAA Championships, where she won a title in the 500-yard freestyle and tied for fifth in the 200-yard race, affecting debates around transgender participation in sports.

Riley Gaines, who competed against Thomas, has become a prominent advocate for restricting transgender women from participating in women’s sports. Following the funding pause, she expressed her support for the administration’s actions on social media: “Serendipitous,” she wrote, reflecting on her experiences in the sport.

In light of the federal funding freeze, UPenn now risks losing additional funding depending on the outcome of the Title IX investigations. The potential fallout may further weaken its financial standing, especially as it faces the possibility of losing over $250 million from the National Institutes of Health.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, ‘Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,’ emphasizing the administration’s focus on compliance with federal regulations.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier condemned the funding freeze as a ‘deplorable decision’ that could harm the university and its associated community significantly. She urged UPenn to challenge the move legally to protect their students and programs.

This situation illustrates the growing tensions and debates surrounding transgender rights in athletics and the implications of federal funding in educational institutions. The university has already implemented measures to navigate these challenges, including cutting programs and freezing hiring.

The overall financial landscape for UPenn is precarious as it maneuvers through the Trump administration’s policies while trying to maintain its commitment to diverse student participation in athletics.