Trump Freezes $175 Million to Penn Over Trans Swimmer Will Thomas

Riley Gaines marked three years since she raced against trans swimmer Lia Thomas by celebrating Donald Trump's decision to cut $175million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania.

Gaines has been at the forefront of the fight to ban trans athletes from competing in women's sports since she competed against Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championships.

Thomas swam for UPenn in the 200-yard final that day, which saw her tie with Gaines for fifth place.

President Trump signed an executive order last month prohibiting trans athletes from competing in female sports.

And an official White House X account announced on Wednesday morning that the Trump administration has halted $175m in federal funding to UPenn as a result.

The post said the Ivy League school's policies are 'forcing women to compete with men in sports'. It added Trump's tagline: 'Promises made, promises kept.'

An ecstatic Gaines posted on X on Wednesday: 'Three years ago to the day I raced and tied a man at the D1 NCAA Championships in the 200 freestyle.

'Today, the Trump administration paused $175m in federal funding to University of Pennsylvania for this reason. Serendipitous.'

Thomas was welcomed onto UPenn's women's team during the 2022 season and won a national title in the 500-yard freestyle.

Thomas also tied with Gaines in 200-yard freestyle but was given the trophy instead of her female rival.

Trump's executive order prompted the NCAA to change its participation policy, limiting competition in women's sports to athletes assigned female at birth only.

The Trump administration is also investigating potential civil rights violations at San Jose State University volleyball and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The Education Department said it proactively opened the new cases over suspected violation of Title IX, a 1972 law barring sex discrimination in education.

Opening an inquiry isn't meant to indicate a finding of wrongdoing, according to department policy. Additionally, the agency said it is reviewing athletics policies at a number of other schools.

San Jose State is being scrutinized over trans player Blaire Fleming's participation on the women's volleyball team.

A lawsuit filed by players against the Mountain West Conference argued letting her compete poses a safety risk, but San Jose State has not confirmed it has a transgender woman volleyball player. The team's season ended November 30.

University president Cynthia Teniente-Matson said San Jose State will fully engage with the investigation and comply with the law as it continues to 'act within our authority to uphold the values that define us as an institution.'

According to the Education Department, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association allowed a transgender athlete to compete on a girls' high school basketball team, prompting an opposing team to forfeit after three players were reportedly injured. The department did not identify the schools or give further details.