Riley Gaines Commends Trump Administration for Halting Federal Funds to UPenn Over Transgender Athlete Policy

Riley Gaines Commends Trump Administration for Halting Federal Funds to UPenn Over Transgender Athlete Policy

Riley Gaines, a distinguished former NCAA swimmer from the University of Kentucky, publicly praised the Trump administration’s recent decision to pause $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania. This action came in response to the university’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.

On Wednesday, Gaines shared her thoughts with Fox News Digital, asserting that the administration demonstrated resolve in upholding fairness in women’s sports. She stated, “The Trump administration has yet again taken swift action to uphold common sense and preserve women’s opportunities by pausing $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania.”

Gaines’s comments were a reaction to her personal experiences as a female athlete. She expressed frustration over the inclusion of Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, saying, “UPenn allowed a male to compete in women’s swimming, stripping female athletes like myself and my teammates of their hard-earned podium spots, trophies, and records, all while forcing them to share a locker room with this fully intact man who exposed himself to us.”

Implications of the Funding Pause

The Trump administration’s decision to pause federal funding sends a message to institutions that disregard the integrity of women’s sports. Gaines emphasized the significance of this action, declaring, “This proactive step sends a clear message: institutions that disregard the integrity of women’s sports and the rights of female athletes will face consequences. More of this.” It highlights the ongoing national debate regarding transgender participation in sports and its impact on female athletes.

A senior administration official confirmed to Fox Business that the funding pause was indeed enacted. However, it is important to note that this decision does not encapsulate UPenn’s overall federal funding, which the university reported last year to be approximately $1 billion.

Background on the Situation

This pause in funding does not stem directly from an investigation into UPenn. The Department of Education had previously announced an inquiry a day after President Trump’s signing of the