The Trump administration is halting $175 million in federal taxpayer funding for the University of Pennsylvania due to the university’s decision to allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, defying the administration’s executive order. This funding accounts for almost 20% of UPenn’s total federal funding from the previous year, sourced primarily from the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services, according to FOX Business.
In a statement on March 19, the White House boasted, “Promises made, promises kept.”
In 2024, UPenn received about $1 billion in federal support, but this financial backing is at risk as the Trump administration investigates further Title IX violations through the Department of Education. President Trump had previously enacted an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” on February 5, initiating these investigations.
The university became a focal point in the controversy surrounding transgender athletes in competitions after a swimmer transitioned and joined the women’s team, subsequently winning an NCAA Division I title. Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas won the women’s 500-yard freestyle after transitioning before the 2022 season and later tied for fifth place with University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who has since criticized the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
“Three years ago to the day I raced and tied a man at the DI NCAA Championships in the 200 freestyle,” Gaines posted on March 19 on social media. “Today, the Trump administration paused $175M in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania for this reason. Serendipitous.”
The Department of Education is also scrutinizing San Jose State University for potential Title IX breaches after permitting a transgender volleyball player to join its women’s team. Additionally, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association may have violated federal sex-based nondiscrimination laws.
This move follows similar steps by the Trump administration, including targeting universities in Maine for Title IX violations, potentially jeopardizing $250 million in annual federal funding. During a governors’ summit at the White House in February, Trump challenged Maine’s Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on the state’s transgender athletic policies, warning, “You better comply! Because otherwise, you’re not getting any federal funding.” In response, Governor Mills retorted, “See you in court!”
