The Trump administration has frozen $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania due to its policies on supporting transgender athletes. The White House announced the decision, citing a male swimmer who competed on the women’s team at Penn as an example.
President Donald Trump’s administration is using this move to force schools to end policies it finds objectionable, particularly those related to campus culture and diversity initiatives.
The University of Pennsylvania has since changed its policies and no longer allows transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams. The White House did not explain the legal basis for the freeze or what needs to happen to reinstate the funding.
This decision comes after Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing on women’s and girls’ teams under the threat of withholding federal funds. The order claims that allowing trans athletes to compete is a violation of Title IX, a federal statute prohibiting sex discrimination in schools.
However, many universities have pushed back against this policy, arguing that it unfairly restricts the opportunities of trans students who want to participate in sports.
The Education Department has announced investigations into several universities over alleged Title IX violations involving transgender athletes. The University of Pennsylvania is now facing a potential funding freeze due to its past policies on the issue.
In related news, Trump’s administration has paused $400 million in contracts and grants to Columbia University, demanding that it meet certain conditions before releasing the funds.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2025/03/19/university-pennsylvania-federal-funding-freeze-trans-athletes