President Donald Trump is threatening to withhold federal funding from California, citing a violation of a recent executive order prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. Trump stated he will speak with California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, May 27, to address the matter. If the situation is not resolved, the president said the state could lose federal funds permanently.
However, shortly after Trump made his post on Truth Social, the organization that governs high school sports in the state released details of a new “pilot entry process” that accounts for biological females who are disqualified from a state championship if they lose to a trans female.
Trump criticizes California on Truth Social
In a Truth Social post, Trump said California “continues to illegally allow men to play in women’s sports.”
“This is not fair, and totally demeaning to women and girls,” the post reads. “Be hereby advised that large scale federal funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the executive order on this subject matter is not adhered to.”
Shortly after Trump’s post, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced on X that it had developed a new pilot entry process for all female athletes competing in the state.
“Under this pilot entry process, any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their Section’s automatic qualifying entries in the CIF State meet, and did not achieve the CIF State at-large mark in the finals at their Section meet, was extended an opportunity to participate in the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships,” CIF said in its statement. “The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes.”
A Newsom spokesperson said of the changes, “CIF’s proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness. The Governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach.”
Newsom previously acknowledged fairness concerns
The president also referenced a recent podcast interview in which Newsom commented on the issue. During a discussion with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, the governor acknowledged concerns regarding fairness in women’s sports.
“Even my own friend cohort is saying, ‘What the hell is going on? Why aren’t you calling this out?’” Newsom said. “Turns out in 2014, before I was governor, there was a law that established the legal principles that allow trans athletes in women’s sports. But the issue of fairness is completely legit, so I completely align with you.”
Transgender athlete wins first in recent track event
Trump’s Truth Social post also referenced a “transitioned male athlete” who recently “won everything” at a girls’ sporting event in California and is now set to compete in the state finals next weekend.
Although no name was provided, media reports suggest the president may be referring to AB Hernandez, a transgender high school athlete who won first place in the girls’ long jump and triple jump events over the weekend. Hernandez qualified for the state championship happening during the weekend of May 31.
Executive order ties compliance to federal funds
According to the executive order signed by Trump on Feb. 5, “it is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities.”
The president’s threat to revoke California’s funding comes as the state faces ongoing budgetary challenges, including a $12 billion deficit. California’s proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year includes $170 billion in federal funding.
Trump’s enforcement of order
California is not the first state to face potential funding cuts over transgender participation in athletics. Trump also threatened to withhold federal funding from Maine under similar circumstances. The state sued the administration and saw a judge place a hold on the funding halt, saying the state would likely succeed in the court challenge. The case was settled out of court.
As of this report, Newsom has not issued a response to the latest warning from the White House.
