Conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Maine Governor Janet Mills’ support for biological male athletes participating in women’s sports during a Friday appearance on Fox News. Hewitt predicted that the majority of Maine residents would oppose the governor’s position, estimating an 80-20 split against her stance.
The issue gained national attention after a recent sports event in Maine, where a transgender athlete outperformed female competitors, sparking debate over fairness and the integrity of women’s sports.
Hewitt highlighted the local and national fallout from the incident, noting that the transgender athlete, who had previously competed in boys’ events, shattered records and defeated competitors by a significant margin.
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“Everyone on that stand, the silver medalist, the bronze medalist, the other runner-up, were not happy either because the crown champion, the biological boy now, transgender girl, won the boys’ championship, or did very well last year, came in sixth or something like that, and he beat her by the next closest competitor by six inches, shattering records,” Hewitt said.
The controversy escalated during a White House event on Friday, where President Donald Trump clashed with Governor Mills over the issue. Trump, who signed an executive order on February 5 cutting federal funding to schools that allow biological males to compete in women’s sports, criticized Mills for her resistance to the policy.
Hewitt praised Trump for seizing the “high ground” on the issue, calling it a “big win” for the president.
Hewitt also warned that Maine could face significant consequences if the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights finds the state in violation of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
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“They’re not going to be on the governor’s side here. They’re going to split 80 to 20, and they’re going to be upset if the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights concludes that Maine is in violation of Title IX, which I believe they will, and they’re gonna lose a lot of money,” Hewitt said.
The Department of Education has already launched an investigation into Maine’s policies, with Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor stating, “Maine would have you believe that it has no choice in how it treats women and girls in athletics – that is, that it must follow its state laws and allow male athletes to compete against women and girls.”
Democratic strategist Leslie Marshall defended Governor Mills during the Fox News segment but acknowledged that the issue is not a top priority for most Americans. “It’s not the most important issue. It’s not even top 10 amongst the people of Maine or the people of the United States,” Marshall said. “Maine cares about what their prices are at the gas pump. What their prices are at the grocery store. They care about what their prices are when they go to the pharmacy and they have to buy insulin and other things.”
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Host Bret Baier questioned why Mills was so determined to defend the policy, to which Marshall replied, “Many people are fighting the federal government on a number of things, and, you know, for her, this is her mountain to die on.” Baier countered that Marshall’s argument “just goes the other way,” underscoring the divisive nature of the issue.
The debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports continues to polarize the nation, with advocates emphasizing inclusion and opponents arguing for the protection of fairness and opportunities for female athletes. As the Department of Education’s investigation unfolds, Maine’s policies could set a precedent for how similar conflicts are addressed nationwide.
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