In a political move that immediately sent shockwaves across the country and beyond, former US President Donald Trump, a declared candidate in the upcoming election, signed a controversial executive order banning female athletes from participating in official sports competitions at certain levels, citing the need to “restore fairness” in sports.
The executive order, presented this morning at a press conference in Dallas, establishes that certain categories of competition, particularly at the high school and college levels, will be reserved exclusively for male athletes or those who meet a strict definition of “biological sex at birth.” Trump stated that the measure was intended to “end the grave injustices suffered by young people in sports” and “restore the integrity of competition.”
The declaration immediately sparked protests from sports associations, women’s rights advocates, and numerous political figures in both the United States and Europe. Many sports federations denounced the measure as discriminatory and retrograde, warning of its social and legal consequences. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) announced it was considering filing a constitutional challenge to the decree, calling it a “flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of women and transgender people.”
On social media, the hashtag #letwomenplay quickly went viral, illustrating the deep outrage among a segment of the population. Many high-profile athletes, including Megan Rapinoe and Serena Williams, expressed their anger and sadness, accusing Trump of once again attacking minorities to rally his conservative voter base.
But supporters hailed the order as a “courageous” and “necessary” measure to “protect the traditional values of sport.” Several Republican governors have declared their intention to immediately implement the order in their respective states, thus deepening the political and ideological divide dividing the country.
As the debate intensifies, protests have erupted in front of several sports institutions and courts, demanding the decree be overturned. Legal experts believe the measure will be quickly challenged in higher courts, and its implementation could be suspended in the coming weeks.
Trump’s decision, far from going unnoticed, is part of a broader electoral recapture strategy, in which issues of identity, religion, and gender appear to be once again becoming political battlegrounds. For now, one thing is certain: American sports, and society as a whole, will not emerge unscathed from this latest controversy.
