California sports officials changed the eligibility rules of a high school track and field state championship last minute after President Donald Trump called out the state for allowing a transgender-identifying male to snag a victory and disenfranchise female athletes.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the competition will now include the female athletes who did not qualify for the competition, who may have placed higher if the transgender-identifying athlete were not participating. The announcement occurred only hours after Trump posted to Truth Social, threatening to withhold federal funding from the state over the debacle. President Trump said:
California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow “MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.” This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won “everything,” and is now qualified to compete in the “State Finals” next weekend. As a Male, he was a less than average competitor. As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it is “UNFAIR.” I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!
The federation claims it decided to change its policy after the end of Saturday’s Masters Qualifiers round, not after President Trump’s statement.
“The CIF values all of our student-athletes, and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law and Education Code. With this in mind, the CIF will be implementing a pilot entry process for the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships,” the federation said in a statement.
Nope, not good enough for me.
TRANSGENDERS MUST BE BANNED