Riley Gaines Hails Trump’s $175M UPenn Funding Block Over Trans Athletes in Women’s Sports
Riley Gaines Celebrates Trump’s $175M Funding Cut to UPenn Over Trans Athlete Policies
By Max Winters | Updated: 17:46 GMT, 19 March 2025
Three years after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the NCAA Championships, former University of Kentucky athlete Riley Gaines praised Donald Trump’s move to block $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). The Trump administration cited UPenn’s policies allowing transgender athletes in women’s sports as the reason, stating they violate Title IX protections for female athletes.
The 2022 Controversy
In March 2022, Gaines and Thomas, then a UPenn swimmer, tied for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships. Thomas, who began transitioning in 2019, later won a national title in the 500-yard freestyle. Gaines criticized the NCAA for awarding Thomas the 200-yard trophy despite their tie, calling it a catalyst for her advocacy against transgender participation in women’s sports.
Gaines (right) tied with Thomas (left) at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
Trump’s Executive Order & Funding Cuts
Last month, Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. On Wednesday, the White House announced funding cuts to UPenn, tweeting: “Promises made, promises kept.” Gaines responded on social media: “Three years ago to the day, I raced and tied a man… Today, Trump paused $175M in funding to UPenn. Serendipitous.”
NCAA Policy Shift & Investigations
The NCAA has since revised its guidelines, restricting women’s sports to athletes assigned female at birth. The Education Department also launched investigations into alleged Title IX violations at San Jose State University’s volleyball program and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).
At San Jose State, players sued the Mountain West Conference over trans athlete Blaire Fleming’s participation, claiming safety risks. While the school hasn’t confirmed Fleming’s status, President Cynthia Teniente-Matson vowed compliance with Title IX. In Massachusetts, a girls’ basketball team forfeited a game after injuries linked to facing a transgender player, prompting federal scrutiny.
The Education Department is probing schools over transgender athlete policies.
Broader Impact
Gaines has become a prominent advocate for banning transgender athletes from women’s sports, arguing it undermines fairness. Critics, however, argue such policies discriminate against transgender individuals. The funding cut to UPenn and ongoing investigations signal a broader push to enforce biological sex divisions in athletics, reigniting debates over equality and inclusion.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s stance positions him as a defender of “women’s rights,” while opponents warn of eroding protections for transgender Americans.
For now, the battle over sports, identity, and federal policy shows no signs of slowing down.
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Riley Gaines hails Donald Trump for stopping $175m in funding to UPenn over trans athlete policies
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