Trump explains trans sports controversy to Saudi investors who he says ‘don’t do a lot of transitioning’
In a recent address at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., former President Donald Trump expressed his astonishment at the cultural divide regarding transgender athletes in sports. He recounted a striking example involving a biological male who had transitioned and subsequently shattered a women’s weightlifting record by an impressive margin of 119 pounds. Trump noted that this situation left many Saudi attendees bewildered, with some reportedly questioning the concept of transitioning entirely. “They’re saying, ‘What do you mean women are playing against men? No, that doesn’t happen, does it?'” Trump remarked, suggesting that the Saudis view the American debate over transgender athletes as perplexing and indicative of a broader cultural dissonance.
Trump’s comments come amid a heated national debate over transgender participation in sports, particularly as a group of 130 congressional Democrats recently filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting two transgender athletes challenging state laws that restrict their participation in women’s sports. Notable lawmakers such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Nancy Pelosi have joined this effort, indicating a significant push within the Democratic Party to advocate for transgender rights in athletics. Contrastingly, a January survey conducted by the New York Times/Ipsos revealed that a substantial majority of Americans, including many Democrats, oppose allowing transgender women (biological males) to compete in women’s sports. The survey found that 79% of participants, including 67% of Democrats, believe that biological males should not compete against women, highlighting the contentious nature of this issue across the political spectrum.
As discussions about gender identity and sports continue to evolve, Trump’s remarks underscore the stark differences in perspectives between American and Saudi cultural norms. His assertion that “these people are crazy” reflects a broader sentiment among some conservatives who feel that the push for transgender inclusion in sports is out of touch with traditional values. This ongoing debate raises critical questions about fairness, inclusivity, and the future of competitive sports, as advocates on both sides continue to argue passionately for their positions.
President
Donald Trump
at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, said people from Saudi Arabia think Americans are “crazy” for advocating for transgender athletes in women’s sports.
At the forum, hosted at the Kennedy Center, Trump described being shocked watching a congressman fighting for biological men playing in women’s sports, explaining a situation where a biological man broke a
women’s weightlifting record.
“The man was 119 pounds higher than a woman champion, who was a phenomenal champion,” Trump said. “Beat her by 119, and he was an average lifter prior to transitioning. A lot of the Saudis are sitting here saying, ‘What the hell is he talking about — transitioning?'”
TRUMP SAYS MAMDANI ‘THINKS IT’S WONDERFUL TO HAVE MEN PLAYING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,’ MOCKS TRANS WEIGHTLIFTER
He went on to say, unlike the U.S., the Saudis “don’t do a lot of transitioning.”
“The Saudis are saying, ‘What is he talking about?’” Trump said. “They’re saying, ‘What do you mean women are playing against men? No, that doesn’t happen, does it?’ Yeah, it does. These people are crazy.”
A group of
130 congressional Democrats
recently filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging justices to rule in favor of Becky Pepper-Jackson, a trans teen from West Virginia who successfully challenged a state law barring biological males from competing in girls’ sports, and Lindsay Hecox, who successfully challenged an Idaho law to compete on Boise State’s women’s cross-country team.
TRUMP WARNS CALIFORNIA OVER TRANSGENDER POLICIES AFTER ISSUE HITS HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
Lawmakers who signed onto the letter include Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
, D-N.Y., Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
A
New York Times/Ipsos survey
in January found most Americans, including a
majority of Democrats
, do not think transgender athletes should compete against women in sports.
Of the 2,128 participants, 79%, including 67% of those who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat, said
biological males who identify as women
should not be allowed to compete against women.
Fox News Digital’s Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
