White House Press Secretary Karline Leavitt hailed President Donald J. Trump’s executive order barring biological males from competing in women’s sports as a “glorious moment” for female athletes across the country.
The order, signed on Wednesday, aims to protect the integrity of women’s sports and ensure fair competition for female athletes.
Speaking on Fox News Thursday, Leavitt emphasized the executive order’s significance, which has prompted the NCAA to align its policies with the federal directive.
READ: NCAA Updates Transgender Athlete Policy Following Trump’s Executive Order
“It was a glorious moment at the White House yesterday afternoon,” Leavitt said. “To see these female athletes who have worked so hard and spoken up so courageously about the injustices they have faced on the sports field—it was incredibly special.”
The executive order, titled Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, directs federal agencies to enforce Title IX protections, ensuring that women and girls are not deprived of equal opportunities in athletics. It also mandates the withholding of federal funds from educational programs that allow biological males to compete in women’s sports.
Within hours of the executive order’s signing, the NCAA announced updates to its transgender athlete participation policy, restricting competition in women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth. The move aligns the organization with the Trump administration’s stance on protecting women’s sports.
The focus will shift to international sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The White House has expressed confidence that the IOC will adopt similar policies ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“We expect the Olympic Committee to do the same,” Leavitt said. “The 2028 Olympics will be returning to the United States of America, and how wonderful it will be for women across the world to see the U.S. lead on this incredibly important and commonsense issue.”
“The world is watching,” Leavitt said. “The United States is leading the way on this issue, and we hope other nations will follow suit to ensure fairness and safety for female athletes everywhere.”
The executive order is part of President Trump’s broader efforts to promote fairness and safety in women’s sports. It follows years of debate over the participation of transgender athletes in female competitions, with critics arguing that biological males have inherent physical advantages that undermine fair competition.
“This is about protecting the rights of female athletes and ensuring they have a level playing field,” Leavitt said. “President Trump has always been a champion for women, and this executive order is a testament to his commitment to fairness and equality.”
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