In a decisive move by the Trump administration, the federal government has announced a suspension of $175 million in funds to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) due to its policies concerning transgender athletes. This decision arrives as part of an overarching effort led by Trump to tighten regulations around transgender participation in sports, alongside cutting federal spending.
The controversy escalated after UPenn transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who previously competed on the men’s team, broke multiple records in women’s swimming competitions in 2022. An unnamed Trump official criticized the university’s actions, stating, “UPenn infamously permitted a male to compete on its women’s swimming team, overturning multiple records hard-earned by women, and granting the fully intact male access to the locker room.”
The funding in question was provided by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services. UPenn has stated it is yet to receive any formal notification regarding the funding suspension. In response to the tumult, UPenn has reiterated its commitment to adhering to NCAA regulations, which govern collegiate sports.
Moreover, the NCAA recently modified its policy again, asserting that only “student-athletes assigned female at birth” would be eligible to participate in women’s collegiate competitions, reinforcing Trump’s executive order issued last month. This order not only bars transgender women from competing in female categories but also mandates investigations into institutions failing to comply with Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational settings.
The education department’s ongoing investigation into UPenn, arising from potential Title IX violations, is separate from the funding halt, however. Lia Thomas, the swimmer at the center of this debate, defended her right to compete, emphasizing that her transition was a personal journey toward authenticity rather than a strategic move for competitive edge. She characterized the population of transgender athletes in college sports as minimal, a point that underscores the controversy surrounding their involvement in competitive activities.
The discourse around LGBTQ+ participation in sports continues to prompt heated debate among policymakers and communities, as debates about equality, competition, and inclusion persist in shaping educational and athletic landscapes across the nation.