US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut federal funding to California if the state continues allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. The president tweeted that California is “illegally” allowing men to play in women’s sports, referencing a high school student, A.B. Hernandez, who won a recent track meet.
California lawmakers are considering legislation to prohibit trans athletes from competing in girls’ sports, but the state’s education code ensures equal rights and opportunities for every student, regardless of gender identity or expression.
The president’s threat comes after he signed an executive order last February that gave federal agencies the ability to penalize schools for allowing transgender athletes to compete. The U.S. Department of Education has been investigating California’s funding over the issue, but no cuts have yet occurred.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently commented on the issue, saying it is “deeply unfair” for trans athletes to compete in women’s sports. Newsom has called for discussion on the topic, stating that there are pressing issues to address.
Critics argue that allowing trans athletes to compete in girls’ sports creates a competitive advantage and poses privacy concerns in locker rooms. However, many advocates argue that this is a manufactured outrage, distracting from more pressing issues like poverty and healthcare coverage.
The federal funding at stake is significant, with California receiving around $16.3 billion in annual education aid, or about $2,750 per K-12 student. Any potential cuts would have a substantial impact on the state’s education system.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-27/trump-threatens-to-cut-funding-to-california-over-youth-transgender-sports