President Donald Trump on Thursday hailed a U.S. Supreme Court decision that affirms states’ rights to establish eligibility rules for transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, describing the ruling as a significant victory for fairness in athletics.
In a 6-3 decision, the Court upheld laws in West Virginia and Idaho that restrict participation in female sports categories based on biological sex. Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh emphasized inherent biological differences between males and females—including advantages in strength, speed, endurance, height, and jumping ability—that can influence competitive fairness and participant safety.
“The Court concluded that states may set eligibility standards for women’s and girls’ sports consistent with the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title IX,” the opinion stated. The ruling leaves primary regulatory authority over school and collegiate sports participation with individual states.
Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, posting: “BIG WIN: The United States Supreme Court just RULED AGAINST MEN PLAYING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.”
Justice Sonia Sotomayor filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part. Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson also issued separate opinions that aligned with portions of the majority while diverging on others.
The cases were defended by the Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of the states. The American Civil Liberties Union and Cooley LLP represented the transgender athletes challenging the restrictions. In Idaho, the lawsuit centered on Lindsay Hecox, a transgender woman seeking to compete on Boise State University’s women’s teams. The West Virginia case involved B.P.J., a transgender high school student who has identified as female since childhood and has undergone puberty blockers and estrogen therapy.
The decision follows President Trump’s February 2025 executive order titled “No Men in Women’s Sports,” which directed federal agencies to enforce sex-based athletic policies. That order has sparked legal challenges with several states, including disputes over federal funding.
Supporters of the ruling argue it safeguards the integrity and fairness of women’s athletics by preserving categories based on biological sex. Opponents maintain that the decision restricts opportunities for transgender students and raises concerns about inclusion and equal access.
The Supreme Court’s decision clarifies that while states hold primary responsibility for setting participation rules in scholastic sports, the broader national debate over balancing fairness, safety, and inclusion is expected to continue in legislatures and lower courts.
