Introduction:
In a significant move, the Trump administration freezes UPenn funding amounting to $175 million after the university defied President Trump’s executive order regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports. The action highlights the growing tension between the administration and educational institutions over gender policies in athletics.
🔴 $175 Million Funding Frozen as UPenn Faces Federal Action
The Trump administration freezes UPenn funding sourced mainly from the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services. This amount represents nearly 20% of the Ivy League school’s federal funding in the previous year.
The administration’s official social media account confirmed the action, posting on X: “Promises made, promises kept.”
With UPenn receiving nearly $1 billion in federal funding in 2024, the university now risks further cuts as the Department of Education investigates potential Title IX violations.
🔴 Executive Order Sparks Federal Investigation Into Trans Athlete Policies
President Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” on February 5. Following the directive, Trump administration freezes UPenn funding due to the school’s support for transgender athletes in women’s sports.
UPenn drew national attention after swimmer Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, transitioned and competed on the women’s team, eventually winning the NCAA Division I title in the 500-yard freestyle event.
🔴 Lia Thomas Case Reignites Debate on Trans Participation in Women’s Sports
The controversy intensified after Lia Thomas tied for fifth place in the NCAA Championship’s 200 freestyle event with Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines. Gaines, now an outspoken critic of trans inclusion in women’s sports, reacted to the funding freeze:
“Three years ago, I tied a man at the DI NCAA Championships. Today, the Trump administration paused $175M in federal funding to UPenn for this reason. Serendipitous,” she shared on X.
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🔴Further Investigations Put More Universities and Funding at Risk
Beyond UPenn, the administration is expanding investigations into other educational institutions over similar transgender athlete policies. San Jose State University faces a Title IX probe after allowing a transgender volleyball player to compete in women’s sports.
Additionally, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is under review, while universities in Maine are also being investigated—putting $250 million in federal funding on the line.
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🔴 Trump’s Warning: Comply or Lose Federal Funding
During a White House summit, Trump directly warned Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills about compliance with the executive order, stating: “You better comply! Because otherwise, you’re not getting any federal funding.”
Governor Mills responded defiantly: “See you in court!”
Meanwhile, representatives from UPenn and the Department of Health and Human Services have not issued comments, while the Pentagon referred inquiries back to the White House.
