The Trump administration has announced a halt on over $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), citing the institution’s policies allowing men to compete in women’s sports.
The decision, made public through the president’s rapid response account on X, follows the administration’s recent executive order banning such participation under Title IX.
According to a White House official, the funding suspension affects discretionary funds from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The White House emphasized that this move is separate from the Department of Education’s ongoing Title IX investigation into UPenn’s policies.
READ: Federal Civil Rights Complaint Filed Against Illinois Education Officials Over Title IX Violations
The controversy stems from UPenn’s decision to allow transgender athlete Lia Thomas to compete on the women’s swim team. Thomas, a biological male, shattered female swimming records during the 2022 NCAA Championships, sparking a national debate over fairness in women’s sports.
Several female athletes who competed against Thomas have since filed lawsuits, alleging they were unfairly forced to compete against and share locker rooms with a biological male.
UPenn has pushed back against the administration’s actions, with a university spokesperson saying that the institution has not received official notification of the funding pause.
The spokesperson also defended UPenn’s compliance with existing NCAA and Ivy League policies.
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“We are aware of media reports suggesting a suspension of $175 million in federal funding to Penn, but have not yet received any official notification or any details. It is important to note, however, that Penn has always followed NCAA and Ivy League policies regarding student participation on athletic teams. We have been in the past, and remain today, in full compliance with the regulations that apply to not only Penn, but all of our NCAA and Ivy League peer institutions,” read the statement.
The funding suspension follows President Trump’s executive order on February 5, which formally banned men from competing in women’s sports under Title IX protections.
READ: Feds Launch Title IX Probe Into Washington School District Over Male Athletes In Girls’ Sports
The order directs the Department of Education to investigate schools that fail to comply and calls on the NCAA to reinstate records previously held by female athletes that male competitors broke.
UPenn and other universities with similar policies may face additional federal scrutiny as the situation unfolds, with potential repercussions for their funding and athletic programs.
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