President Donald Trump welcomed a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows states to establish eligibility rules for transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports, describing the decision as a significant victory. In a 6-3 ruling, the Court upheld laws in West Virginia and Idaho that limit participation in female sports based on biological sex.
Following the decision, Trump praised the outcome on Truth Social, saying the ruling supported policies designed to preserve fairness in women’s athletics. Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated that biological diffe
rences between males and females can influence strength, speed, endurance, and other physical characteristics that affect athletic competition and participant safety. The Court concluded that states may adopt eligibility standards consistent with the Equal Protection Clause and Title IX.
Several justices wrote separate opinions, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor concurring in part and dissenting in part, while Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson agreed with portions of the judgment but differed on aspects of the legal reasoning.
The lawsuits involved transgender athletes in Idaho and West Virginia who challenged the state laws. The ruling follows President Trump’s 2025 executive order directing federal agencies to enforce sex-based athletic policies. Supporters say the decision protects competitive fairness, while critics argue it restricts opportunities for transgender students. The ruling leaves regulation of school sports primarily in the hands of individual states.
