On February 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports. The order, titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," aligns with the Trump administration's interpretation of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. The administration defines "sex" under Title IX as the gender assigned at birth.

 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, surrounded by lawmakers and female athletes including former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, Trump declared, "With this executive order, the war on women's sports is over. He also warned that schools and athletic organizations that allow men to "take over women's sports teams or invade your locker rooms" will be investigated for Title IX violations and risk losing federal funding.

 

The executive order grants federal agencies broad authority to enforce Title IX, potentially impacting universities, high schools, and grassroots sports. It authorizes the Education Department to penalize schools found in violation, potentially making them ineligible for federal funding. The order also directs the administration to advocate for sex-specific female sports categories within international organizations and gather representatives from sports organizations to foster policies that prioritize the welfare of female athletes. Trump stated that the order would also apply to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and he would deny visas to transgender athletes seeking to compete.

 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the order "honors the promise of Title IX" and will prompt "immediate enforcement actions" against schools and athletic associations that deny women access to single-sex sports and locker rooms.