Trump Threatens to Pull Federal Funding if California Allows Men to Compete in Women’s Sports

The president is directing local authorities to prevent a transgender-identifying athlete from competing against women in the upcoming state finals.

President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with California Gov. Gavin Newsom upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Jan. 24, 2025. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump issued a warning to California on May 27 that he intends to rescind federal education funds if the state does not abide by his executive order that banned male athletes who identify as transgender from competing in women’s sports.

“California ... continues to ILLEGALLY allow MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,” the president wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.