President Donald Trump is set to take executive action on Wednesday by signing an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The order aims to address the issue of transgender women competing in women’s sports, a topic central to Trump's 2024 campaign.
The executive order is designed to ensure compliance with Title IX, a law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding. It also involves federal engagement with the private sector.
The Trump administration's stance on Title IX differs from the Biden administration's approach, with the former emphasizing the preservation of women's sports for women to provide equal opportunities that are safe, fair, and private.
Some critics argue that transgender athletes have an unfair advantage in sports. However, research findings do not consistently support this claim. A 2017 review published in the peer-reviewed journal Sports Medicine found no direct or consistent evidence showing that transgender individuals possess an athletic advantage. A more recent review from October 2023 suggested that gender affirming hormone therapy can reduce or eliminate sex-based differences in athletic performance over time.
As the debate on transgender participation in sports continues, President Trump's forthcoming executive order is expected to spark further discussion and controversy surrounding this complex issue.
