Football coach-turned-politician Tommy Tuberville recently launched a sharp attack on Maine Governor Janet Mills, calling her a “total a**” for refusing to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
The heated exchange follows a tense moment between Governor Mills and former President Donald Trump during the National Governors Association dinner.
Trump had made it clear he was unhappy with the state’s refusal to comply with his executive order on the issue.
Tensions Escalate Between Mills and Trump
The drama began when President Trump confronted Governor Mills over her opposition to his executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports.
Trump bluntly told Mills, “Your population doesn’t want men playing in women’s sports,” warning her that Maine would lose federal funding if it defied the order.
Mills, however, stood firm and responded with, “We’ll see you in court.”
Trump, not backing down, shot back with, “I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.
And enjoy your life after, governor, ’cause I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”
The fiery exchange between the two quickly made headlines, capturing national attention.
Tuberville Joins the Fray
As the controversy grew, former Auburn football coach and Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville voiced his criticism of Governor Mills.
In an interview with Outkick, Tuberville accused her of being disrespectful to the president, calling her actions “egotistical” and a display of poor judgment.
He emphasized that it was simply “common sense” not to allow men to compete against women in sports.
Tuberville, who is pushing for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, expressed his concern about the future of women’s sports, particularly with the Los Angeles Olympics coming up in 2028.
“We do not need this to turn into a nightmare,” he said, stressing that the Olympics should remain a clear-cut division between men and women in athletics.
The Ongoing Debate Over Transgender Athletes in Sports
The conflict over transgender athletes has been a hot-button issue for years, with high-profile cases like Lia Thomas and Blaire Fleming sparking widespread debate.
President Trump took action early in his second term, signing an executive order that declared only two genders would be officially recognized, effectively banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports.
This move, along with Trump’s stance on transgender athletes, has faced significant opposition, especially from those who argue it undermines inclusivity and equality.
However, Tuberville and other critics insist that maintaining gender divisions in sports is essential for fairness.
Maine Faces Federal Investigation
The situation escalated when, shortly after her confrontation with Trump, Governor Mills made a defiant statement declaring that Maine would not be intimidated by the president’s threats.
However, her stance came with consequences.
The U.S. Department of Education announced that Maine would be investigated over allegations that it was allowing male athletes to compete in girls’ sports, a violation of federal guidelines.
Other states, including California, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, are reportedly facing similar probes for their handling of the issue.
The ongoing battle between political leaders over transgender athletes in sports continues to raise significant questions about fairness, inclusivity, and the future of competitive athletics, with both sides of the debate passionately defending their positions.