McMahon Slams Newsom’s WWE Mockery in Title IX Trans Athlete Clash

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A heated clash over Title IX enforcement has erupted between U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and California Governor Gavin Newsom, sparked by a provocative social media jab from Newsom’s office. Last week, Newsom’s team posted a vintage WWE clip showing McMahon, former wrestling executive, being body-slammed by wrestler Kane in a theatrical piledriver. The post mocked the Department of Education’s warning that California violated Title IX by allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s sports.

McMahon fired back in an exclusive interview, calling out Newsom’s flippant approach to a serious issue. “He’s trying to be funny on a matter that’s anything but,” McMahon said, highlighting the real-world impact on female athletes. “Women lose scholarships, face injuries, and are forced into shared spaces with men. That’s unfair, plain and simple.”

The controversy intensified when McMahon’s office countered with a clip from Newsom’s own podcast, where he admitted that trans athletes in women’s sports can be “deeply unfair.” McMahon challenged him directly: “Put your money where your mouth is, Governor. You talk about fairness but haven’t acted.” She warned that California risks losing federal K-12 funding if it doesn’t comply with Title IX within the 10-day deadline set by her department.

Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, dismissed the threat, accusing McMahon of confusing governance with “WrestleMania theatrics—dramatic, fake, and divorced from reality.” Meanwhile, the Trump administration is pushing hard on this issue, securing a landmark agreement with the University of Pennsylvania. UPenn will apologize to female swimmers affected by trans athlete Lia Thomas’ participation in the 2021-22 season, rescind Thomas’ accolades, and adopt biology-based definitions for “male” and “female.”

McMahon hopes this sets a precedent. “Title IX is the law. States ignoring it risk penalties, but more importantly, it’s about doing what’s right—keeping men out of women’s sports.” As the standoff continues, with legal battles brewing in states like Maine and Minnesota, the debate over fairness in athletics remains a political lightning rod.