The state of California has changed its sporting rules after Trump threatened to withhold federal funding over one trans athlete.
On Tuesday (27 May), the state’s high school sports authority (the California Interscholastic Federation) expanded eligibility for the upcoming state track and field championships.
The announcement comes hours after president Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding unless California disqualified a trans high school girl from competing.
Trump claimed on Truth Social on Tuesday that a “transitioned male athlete” who “is practically unbeatable” qualified for the finals. He went on to call the circumstances “totally demeaning to women and girls” and threatened that federal funding could be cut off, “maybe permanently”, if his anti-trans executive order is not followed.
Trump said he would be discussing the issue with Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He did not identify the athlete by name, but she has been widely named in reports.
In the hours following Trump’s funding threat, the CIF announced it would launch a new “pilot entry process” for the CIF State Championships, which is taking place 30-31 May.
The new policy states that cisgender athletes who narrowly missed out on qualifying for the event, due to the alleged inclusion of a transgender athlete, are now offered the chance to compete.
The CIF said via a statement: “The CIF values all of our student-athletes, and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law.
“The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes.”
A spokesperson for Newsom clarified that the policy was decided before Trump’s post, according to The Advocate.
Izzy Gardon, Newsom’s communications director, told the publication via a statement: “CIF’s proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness — a model worth pursuing.
“The Governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach.”
In March, Newsom was slammed for his LGBTQ+ solidarity U-turn after describing trans athletes as “unfair”.
In April, he then said during a press conference that the issue of trans inclusion in sport has been “weaponised by the right to be 10x, 100x bigger than it is”, and said he was open to finding the “right balance” which should be led with “dignity” and “humanity”.
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