Donald Trump has been at war with schools in blue states over allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports.
Many high-profile schools, including the University of Pennsylvania, have defied Trump’s order.
Penn just caved, however, leading activist Riley Gaines to a victory lap.
This is an issue that goes back to Trump’s first term in office, but it really started to gain national attention after Biden took office and advocated for transgenders in women’s sports.
When Trump came back into office, he immediately issued a Title IX order to ban biological men from women’s sports.
Penn garnered national attention on the matter due to the success of Lia Thomas, who was a middling male swimmer but started to dominate in the NCAA after identifying as a woman.
The school has now reversed course, with the Department of Education announcing, "Today, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) announced the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has entered into a Resolution Agreement to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).”
After the U of P revised its policies, it also stripped Lia Thomas of the titles won due to the new rules.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “Today’s resolution agreement with UPenn is yet another example of the Trump effect in action.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, UPenn has agreed both to apologize for its past Title IX violations and to ensure that women’s sports are protected at the University for future generations of female athletes.”
This is a crushing blow those defending transgenders in sports, and an even larger blow to Thomas, who had dominated Penn, setting numerous records, all of which are now gone. However, the school website does have an annotation, stating, "NOTE: Competing under eligibility rules in effect at the time, Lia Thomas set program records in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle during the 2021-22 season.”
Gaines garnered national attention when she tied with Thomas for 5th place in the 200 freestyle National Championships, which she will now hold alone.
TDS victim Keith Olbermann tried to take a shot at her after the rule change at Penn, stating, "Wanted to congratulate Whiny Gaines on now being able to say she finished tied for FOURTH not tied for FIFTH in the Lia Thomas race.”
Gaines responded, "Thank you! And while you’re keeping track, make sure to congratulate Emma Weyant, the right National Champ in the 500 freestyle, too.” Thomas won the 500-meter freestyle at the same championships. She also noted if Olbermann thought 5th in the nation was bad, what would he think about 462nd nationally, which is what Thomas would have qualified for if competing in the men’s category.
I am just glad this order is finally getting some traction. For me, this is all about the integrity of the sport and the safety of women athletes... not to mention just plain common sense.
