Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s or girls’ sporting events. The order, signed in the East Room of the White House on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, aims to enforce Title IX standards and ensure fairness in women’s sports.

“The war on women’s sports is over,” Trump declared during the signing ceremony. “Women’s sports will be only for women.” The order grants federal agencies the authority to withhold funding from entities that do not comply with the original Title IX standards, which prohibit sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Trump was joined by several female athletes and advocates, including Riley Gaines, Payton McNabb, and Sia Liilii, who have been vocal about their support for the order. Lacie DeCosta, wife of Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta, expressed her approval on social media, stating, “It’s a great day for women’s sports.” DeCosta emphasized that the issue was about fairness, adding, “Many girls don’t see this as a trans issue but a fairness issue. I will always fight for fairness when it comes to girls in sports.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the order as a “common-sense action” that upholds the promise of Title IX. “President Trump pledged to restore common sense to our country, and he’s continuing to deliver on that with an executive order that he will sign later today,” Leavitt said during a briefing. “The president will be signing an executive order, keeping men out of women’s sports to defend the safety of athletes, protect competitive integrity, and uphold the promise of Title IX.”

The order has sparked debate, with opponents arguing that it targets a minority group and exaggerates the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Ryan Mink, editorial director for the Baltimore Ravens, responded to DeCosta’s post, stating, “Trans women are women.” However, supporters of the order, including Trump, argue that it is necessary to protect the integrity of women’s sports and ensure a level playing field.

Trump’s administration has consistently taken a hardline stance on transgender issues. This executive order follows previous actions, including banning transgender individuals from serving in the military and restricting federal funding for programs that promote “gender ideology.” The administration has framed these measures as efforts to protect traditional values and ensure fairness in various sectors, including education and sports.

The order’s impact on schools and sports organizations remains to be seen, as federal funding typically constitutes less than 10% of public school revenue. However, the administration has signaled its intent to prioritize Title IX enforcement actions against institutions that allow transgender women and girls to compete in women’s sports.