In a move drawing immediate scrutiny for its discriminatory implications and potential unlawfulness, President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to withhold federal funding from California.
In a Truth Social post, Trump accused the state of “ILLEGALLY allow[ing] MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,” specifically referencing a high school junior who recently won girls’ long jump and triple jump titles.
Trump’s statement, directly targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom, indicated he would speak with Newsom to “find out which way he wants to go???” and further asserted he was “ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals,” labeling the situation “totally ridiculous.”
This marks an escalation in Trump’s contentious approach to transgender athletes in youth sports, following a similar attempt last month to strip Maine of federal education dollars, which immediately resulted in legal challenges.
Critics argue that such broad threats to federal funding, particularly tied to social policies, raise serious questions about constitutional authority and may violate existing anti-discrimination laws, including Title IX. Legal experts have previously challenged the legality of the Trump administration’s attempts to unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated funds.
While California law currently permits transgender athletes to compete consistent with their gender identity, Governor Newsom has previously acknowledged the “deeply unfair” aspect of individuals assigned male at birth competing in women’s sports and expressed openness to discussions, emphasizing “dignity” and “humanity” over politics. He also noted the small number of athletes involved and the “weaponized” nature of the conversation by conservatives.
Newsom has yet to comment on Trump’s latest threat.
This is not the first time Trump has employed federal funding threats against California to exert pressure on social policies. Past instances include an April letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture linking aid to compliance with Trump directives related to a state law protecting transgender student gender identity changes. California also previously defied a Trump administration order to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools, a directive that also carried threats of significant federal funding cuts.
The exact scope of Trump’s current funding threat remains ambiguous, potentially extending beyond education funds to critical areas such as disaster relief, food aid, and low-income housing. California, a state that contributes more in federal tax revenue than it receives in federal support, nonetheless relies heavily on federal funding, including an estimated $16.3 billion annually for education. Any substantial withholding of these funds could have devastating impacts on essential services for millions of Californians.
