Biden Slammed for International Women's Day Post Amid Transgender Sports Debate

President Joe Biden commemorated International Women’s Day with a social media post on Saturday, celebrating the achievements of women and girls. However, the message quickly drew backlash as critics pointed to his administration’s policies enabling transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.

In his post, Biden wrote, "Like so many of you, I’m celebrating the incredible women in my life today. International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the achievements of women and girls everywhere and recommit our efforts to advance dignity, opportunity, and equality for all. When women and girls succeed, communities, economies, and democracies succeed."

But this sentiment didn’t sit well with many Americans, who accused Biden of undermining women’s rights through his policies. Critics highlighted his executive order allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports and his administration’s efforts to rewrite Title IX regulations to reflect gender identity.

U.S. Representative Brandon Gill, R-Texas, shared a screenshot of the House vote on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which was opposed by 203 Democrats and later filibustered in the Senate. Meanwhile, XX-XY Athletics, a sportswear brand advocating for the protection of female athletes, accused Biden of "eroding" women’s rights.

The criticism wasn’t limited to lawmakers or advocacy groups. Social media users chimed in, with one writing, "They don't succeed when men take over their spaces," while another questioned, "Hey Joe. What is a woman? Is your way to celebrate it by letting men into women’s sports?"

Since the start of his presidency in January 2021, Biden’s administration has pushed policies aimed at combating discrimination based on gender identity, including an executive order that emphasized access to restrooms, locker rooms, and school sports for transgender individuals. These policies have sparked fierce debates across the nation, with 23 states enacting legislation to restrict transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

In April 2024, Biden’s sweeping Title IX rewrite expanded the definition of sex discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation, leading to lawsuits from over two dozen state attorneys general. The Supreme Court later blocked Biden’s emergency request to enforce the rewrite in states that opposed it.

The controversy over transgender inclusion in sports turned into a major political vulnerability for Democrats during the 2024 election cycle. A national exit poll revealed that 70% of moderate voters considered the issue important, with 6% ranking it as their top priority. Ultimately, Democrats lost control of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives in the election.

After returning to office in 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Despite widespread public support for such measures—79% of Americans and 67% of Democrats opposed transgender athletes in women’s sports, according to a recent poll—several Democrat-led states have refused to comply with Trump’s order.

The debate over transgender inclusion in women’s sports remains a divisive issue, highlighting the broader cultural and political tensions shaping America today.