Transgender Athletes and the Future of Sports: What’s Next Under Trump’s Presidency
As Donald Trump prepares for his second term, one of the most prominent topics he frequently discussed during his campaign was the issue of transgender athletes in sports. Trump made it clear that, should he return to office, he aimed to keep men out of women’s sports and challenged what he referred to as “transgender insanity” in schools. This issue, which affects a small minority of athletes, became a focal point in his election rallies and campaigns, with millions of dollars spent to turn it into a divisive political topic.
The American public, according to surveys, is split on transgender rights, with more than half of voters expressing concerns that support for transgender individuals has gone too far. The specific approach Trump will take when he assumes office in January 2025 remains unclear. While his transition team has yet to provide detailed plans, Trump has indicated that addressing transgender athletes could be a priority, although the implementation of any policy is expected to be complex.
Trump’s Stance on Transgender Athletes
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly highlighted the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports as a major issue. He criticized the inclusion of transgender women in women’s competitions, claiming it was unfair to biological women. In his rhetoric, he sometimes mischaracterized trans athletes, including labeling two Olympic female boxers as men despite both identifying as women.
This debate is not just a cultural issue but a legal one as well, tied to how federal policies under Title IX—the landmark legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination in schools—are interpreted. Title IX has been central to the fight over whether transgender athletes can compete in sports that align with their gender identity.
Presidential Powers and Title IX
Trump’s administration would likely seek to reinterpret Title IX in a way that would restrict transgender women from competing in women’s sports, reverting to the view that “sex” means the gender assigned at birth. This contrasts with the Biden administration’s broader interpretation of “sex” under Title IX, which includes gender identity, offering more protection to transgender athletes.
Under Trump, the interpretation of Title IX could shift, emphasizing the distinction between biological sex and gender identity. This shift could have a significant impact on how sports organizations at the federal and state levels handle the participation of transgender athletes, especially in schools and colleges.
Transgender Athletes: Participation and Impact
While the number of transgender athletes actively competing is debated, it is generally understood that they represent a small fraction of all athletes. The NCAA, for example, does not track the number of transgender athletes competing at the collegiate level, though the number is believed to be under ten among the thousands of athletes nationwide.
At the high school level, many states have enacted legislation banning transgender athletes from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity. In some cases, these laws have been passed despite the lack of significant evidence that transgender athletes have had a noticeable impact on competition.
NCAA and Olympic Policies
At the collegiate level, the NCAA has established rules requiring transgender women to undergo a year of testosterone suppression before competing in women’s sports. Transgender men can compete in men’s sports, but their eligibility depends on hormone treatment. In 2022, the NCAA revised its policies to align more closely with international sports governing bodies, which led to stricter criteria for transgender athletes in some sports, particularly in swimming.
Internationally, the Olympic Committee has deferred to individual sports federations to set their own policies on transgender participation. However, the future of these policies may shift depending on leadership changes within the IOC, such as the potential election of Sebastian Coe, a strong proponent of limiting participation to cisgender women.
The Future of Transgender Athletes in Sports
Looking ahead, the issue of transgender athletes in sports is likely to remain contentious. The debate mirrors the ongoing political struggles over other contentious social issues. As public opinion remains divided, state-level laws are expected to continue shifting, with some states moving to restrict transgender participation while others expand protections.
Federal legislation could further complicate matters. The “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,” which was introduced in Congress in 2021 and 2023, would prohibit transgender women from competing in women’s sports. While the bill passed in the House in 2023, it did not make it to a vote in the Senate. However, as the debate continues to heat up, it is possible that the issue could gain renewed focus under a Republican-led Congress, even as the first openly transgender member of Congress, Sarah McBride, takes office.
The future of transgender athletes in sports remains uncertain, but with new legislative battles on the horizon, it will undoubtedly be a critical topic in the next phase of U.S. politics and sports policy.
