Trump Pledges to Protect Women’s Sports at West Point Commencement

President Donald Trump doubled down on his stance against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports during a rousing commencement address at West Point on Saturday. Speaking to 1,002 graduates, he emphasized the enforcement of his February 5 executive order, which bars biological males from participating in girls’ and women’s athletic competitions.

"We will not have men in women’s sports, if that’s alright with you," Trump declared, injecting humor into his remarks. "I wouldn’t want to tackle a quarterback like Bryson Daily, and I’m pretty sure most women don’t either. It’s just not fair—it’s demeaning to women’s achievements."

The policy has sparked controversy. Several states, including Maine, have resisted the order, prompting federal Title IX investigations. Maine faced a temporary cut in federal funding from the Department of Agriculture, though a judge later restored it. The state’s governor, Janet Mills, clashed publicly with Trump over the issue.

In a bold move, a Washington school district recently voted to exclude transgender athletes from girls’ sports, defying a 2007 state policy allowing participation based on gender identity. The decision came after a transgender athlete won a girls’ cross-country championship in May, reigniting national debate.

Public sentiment appears to align with Trump’s position. A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey revealed 79% of Americans, including 67% of Democrats, oppose biological males competing in women’s sports. A Gallup poll last year echoed this, with nearly 70% supporting sex-based participation rules.

Trump’s message resonated earlier this month at the University of Alabama, where graduates cheered his pledge to protect women’s sports. As the issue continues to polarize, it remains a lightning rod for broader cultural discussions.