In a move that has ignited intense debate nationwide, former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from participating on girls’ and women’s sports teams. The order, signed on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, seeks to restrict federal funding for schools that allow transgender athletes to compete with female athletes by leveraging Title IX provisions. This latest policy action has prompted strong reactions from both supporters and critics, with notable public figures such as Caitlyn Jenner voicing their perspectives on the matter.

Key Provisions of the Executive Order
The executive order represents a sweeping effort to redefine eligibility for participation in girls’ and women’s sports within federally funded institutions. At its core, the policy mandates that schools allowing transgender athletes to compete on teams designated for girls or women risk losing federal funds. In a statement from the White House, Trump declared, “We will defend the proud tradition of female athletes. From now on, women’s sports will be only for women. The war on women’s sports is over.” He further described the order as part of a broader initiative to reclaim cultural norms and enforce laws that protect against sex discrimination.

Under the current framework of Title IX—a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools and educational programs—institutions that are found to discriminate based on sex can lose federal funding. Trump’s order directs the Department of Education to alert schools that permitting transgender athletes to compete in girls’ and women’s sports would constitute a violation of these legal standards. Additionally, the order threatens to subject non-compliant schools to investigations and subsequent funding cuts if they fail to align with the new guidelines.