Donald Trump threatens California federal funding over trans athlete policy
President Donald Trump once again threatened to withhold federal funding from California, this time targeting the Golden State over a decade-old anti-discrimination law protecting transgender athletes.
“California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,’” Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday.
Days after taking office, Trump signed an executive order targeting federal funding for schools that affirm trans children. In March, his administration began investigating the California Department of Education, accusing the department of violating federal law when it enforced a bill Newsom signed last year that bans school districts from forcing teachers to out transgender students to their parents.
In his Truth Social post, Trump evoked more recent comments made by Newsom — who has long positioned himself as an ally of LGBTQ rights — on his podcast that allowing trans athletes to compete with cisgender people was “unfair.” Trump also referred to a trans female high school athlete who earlier this month placed first in triple jump, eighth in high jump, and third in long jump at a state track meet.
The athlete has been the subject of a right-wing harassment campaign led by advocates like 2026 state school superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw, who publicized her name, school, and gender identity without her consent.
Trump demanded that local officials not let the athlete compete in the state finals, but a 2013 law allows athletes to compete on any team that reflects their gender identity.
State lawmakers dismissed two attempts to repeal that law and ban trans girls from school sports last month.
“The Governor, himself, said it is ‘UNFAIR,’” Trump wrote. “I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go???”
Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Trump’s post. A spokesperson referred back to the governor’s podcast, where he said he wanted to have a “respectful” and “responsible” conversation about trans rights.
Officials in Maine, another state that has come into Trump’s crosshairs for protecting trans athletes, have taken a more proactive role and triumphed.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills told Trump he would “see him in court” and refused to abide by Trump’s executive order banning trans athletes because it violated the Maine Human Rights Act. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sued in response, claiming Maine discriminated against cisgender women and girls, and a number of federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, slashed state funding in response.
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey reached a deal earlier this month requiring the USDA to “refrain from freezing, terminating, or otherwise interfering” with state funds over “alleged violations of Title IX.”
In return, Frey agreed to drop a lawsuit challenging the USDA funding freeze.
This story was originally published May 27, 2025 at 11:53 AM with the headline "Donald Trump threatens California federal funding over trans athlete policy."
