The Trump administration has taken decisive action against the University of Pennsylvania, freezing $175 million in federal funding over transgender athlete policies. Trump said he’d protect women in sports, and he meant it.
At a glance:
- The Trump administration has halted $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania.
- The funding pause stems from UPenn’s policy allowing transgender athletes like Lia Thomas to compete in women’s sports.
- The frozen funds represent nearly 20% of UPenn’s federal funding from the previous year.
- UPenn claims compliance with NCAA and Ivy League policies on transgender athlete participation.
- The administration is investigating over 50 colleges for DEI practices and about 60 for alleged antisemitic harassment.
Trump Administration Enforces Executive Order on Women’s Sports
President Trump’s administration has frozen $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its transgender athlete policy. The university gained national attention when transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, a biological male, won an NCAA Division I championship in 2022 while competing in women’s events.
The funding pause comes from the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services as part of a broader effort to enforce compliance with Trump’s Executive Order protecting women’s sports.
A White House official stated, “This is immediate proactive action to review discretionary funding streams to those universities.”
UPenn Faces Significant Financial Consequences
The frozen $175 million constitutes nearly 20% of UPenn’s federal funding from the previous year. The university received approximately $1 billion in federal funds in 2024, with potential for more funds to be withheld amid a broader investigation into Title IX violations.
UPenn officials claim they have not received official notice or details about the funding pause. The university maintains that its policies comply with NCAA and Ivy League guidelines on student athletic participation, but the Trump administration disagrees.
White House officials warned that “this is just a taste of what could be coming down the pipe for Penn.” The administration has made it clear that institutions allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports will face financial consequences.
THIS is what we voted for!
Trump Administration Pauses $175M In UPenn Funding Over Transgender Athlete Policy
The Trump administration announced that it’s freezing $175 million in taxpayer funding for the University of Pennsylvania for defying the president’s executive action and continuing to let…
— JB Slear (@JB_Slear) March 19, 2025
Broader Campaign to Protect Women’s Sports
This action against UPenn is part of a nationwide effort by the Trump administration to enforce Executive Orders on gender policy in education. The Department of Education is also investigating San Jose State University and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for similar Title IX issues.
The administration previously withdrew $400 million in federal grants from Columbia University over alleged inaction on antisemitism. Several universities, including Penn, have implemented hiring freezes and spending cuts in response to the financial uncertainty created by these federal investigations.
Universities in Maine are also under investigation for potential Title IX violations, with $250 million in federal funding at risk. Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills has opposed Trump’s stance, indicating potential legal action, but the administration remains committed to its policy protecting women’s sports from biological male competitors.
