Megan Rapinoe has voiced strong disapproval of Donald Trump’s executive order that restricts transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports at public institutions.
Rapinoe Challenges Trump’s Justification
In an interview with soccer publication MUNDIAL, the former Team USA captain dismissed Trump’s claim that the order aims to protect female athletes.
Rapinoe, a vocal advocate for equality, argued that this reasoning was insincere.
“Don’t tell me it’s about the rights of women’s sports,” the 39-year-old Ballon d’Or Féminin winner said. “That is totally disingenuous to say that.”
Details of Trump’s Executive Order
Since taking office, Trump has signed multiple executive orders, including one that requires the federal government to recognize only two genders.
Another order, titled Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, threatens to withdraw funding from institutions that allow trans athletes to compete in female sports.
This has led to changes in NCAA policy, now restricting women’s sports to those assigned female at birth.
Despite the administration’s claim that this move is meant to ensure fairness and safety for women and girls in sports, Rapinoe sees it differently.
Rapinoe Condemns the Order as “Cruel”
“I think it’s just really cruel,” Rapinoe said.
“If you strip it all back, it’s just kind of cruel and depraved.
This isn’t an issue, and you aren’t going to be able to Executive Order trans people out of existence.”
Rapinoe reflected on the years of effort it took to achieve equal rights in women’s sports.
“We’ve just gone through a very long period over ten years of really needing to fight just to get to a baseline of, like, equal rights and non-discriminatory behavior.
I think we are sort of at that moment.”
Piers Morgan’s Response
Television personality Piers Morgan criticized Rapinoe’s remarks, particularly her description of Trump as “depraved.”
“Imagine thinking that anyone who questions biological men playing in women’s sport is ‘depraved,’” Morgan posted online, adding a string of laughing emojis.
“Rapinoe is such a fraud.”
Rapinoe’s History of Criticizing Trump
Rapinoe has been openly critical of Trump in the past, notably after the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
In a post-election interview that November, she admitted her concerns for marginalized groups, despite not being personally fearful.
“I am nervous, but I also am hopeful,” she said.
“I believe in people and I certainly believe in women, and I believe that people want better than the grim, dark, just violent reality that Donald Trump has very clearly laid out for us.”
Advocacy for Trans Rights
Rapinoe, who is engaged to retired WNBA star Sue Bird, has consistently supported transgender rights.
In 2023, she joined 40 pro athletes in signing a letter opposing a bill that sought to exclude trans athletes from women’s sports under Title IX.
The NCAA reported that fewer than 10 transgender athletes were competing in women’s sports at affiliated schools.
Nevertheless, high-profile cases involving athletes like Penn swimmer Lia Thomas and San Jose State volleyball player Blaire Fleming have sparked heated national debate.
The Road Ahead
With the controversy ongoing, the debate surrounding trans inclusion in sports continues to draw attention, leaving both athletes and policymakers navigating complex questions about fairness, safety, and human rights.