During a women’s town hall in Georgia, former President Donald Trump made a bold promise to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports, sparking cheers and applause from the audience. The event, aired on Fox News’s The Faulkner Focus, centered on issues important to women and took place in a critical battleground state ahead of the 2024 election.
The conversation took a heated turn when Harris Faulkner, the town hall host, brought up the issue of transgender athletes competing against biological women. Faulkner asked the audience—a group of women of varying ages—if they had concerns about this issue. In a powerful moment, every hand in the audience shot up in agreement, underscoring the deep concerns many feel about the future of women’s sports.
One attendee, a grandmother of nine, six of whom are granddaughters, directly questioned Trump on what he would do to address the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports and other female-designated spaces, like locker rooms. Her question reflected the concerns of many parents and grandparents who worry about their daughters and granddaughters competing against biologically male athletes.
Trump’s response was swift and decisive. “It’s such an easy question,” he began. “We’re not going to let it happen.” His words were met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd, many of whom have become increasingly vocal about protecting women’s sports from what they see as an unfair competitive advantage.
The former president then referenced a recent incident involving a college volleyball team in Nevada. According to Trump, the team chose not to compete in a match due to the presence of a transgender player. He emphasized the physical risks female athletes face when competing against biologically male athletes, stating, “I mean, they’ve been really hurt badly, women playing men.” Trump reinforced his stance with a clear message: “We absolutely stop it. You can’t have it. It’s a man playing in the game.”
When Faulkner asked how he planned to implement such a ban, Trump confidently stated, “Just ban it. A president bans it. You just don’t let it happen.” His remarks drew strong support from the audience, who appreciated his direct approach to an issue that many feel has been mishandled by the current administration.
WATCH:
Trump is asked by a grandmother of nine — with six granddaughters — what he’s going to do about men in women’s sports. He says he will end it. Has Kamala ever been asked this question by anyone? I don’t think so. pic.twitter.com/IG9q7zkGfu
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 16, 2024
Clay Travis, a conservative commentator, tweeted about Trump’s strong stance, sharing a clip of the exchange. He also took a swipe at Vice President Kamala Harris, asking whether she had ever been asked such a direct question about transgender athletes in women’s sports.
The Biden-Harris administration has been labeled as the most pro-transgender administration in U.S. history. From promoting gender-affirming treatments for minors to protecting transgender athletes’ rights, the current administration has fully embraced gender identity issues as part of its platform. One of the more controversial moves includes a proposal to amend Title IX regulations, expanding protections based on gender identity. Critics argue this could undermine the integrity of women’s sports and allow biologically male athletes to dominate in women’s competitions.
Trump’s remarks reflect the growing backlash from conservatives and women’s advocacy groups who believe the inclusion of transgender women in female sports is fundamentally unfair. They argue that biological differences—particularly in strength, speed, and endurance—give male athletes an undeniable advantage over women. Supporters of Trump’s stance see his commitment as a defense of women’s rights and a move to preserve fairness in competitive sports.
As the 2024 election approaches, the issue of transgender athletes in sports is expected to remain a hot topic. It represents a broader cultural debate over gender identity, fairness, and the protection of women’s rights. Trump’s firm position on the matter is part of his strategy to connect with voters who feel their concerns have been ignored by the current administration.
While Trump’s comments have fired up his conservative base, they also highlight a key ideological divide in the country. On one side are those who advocate for the inclusion of transgender athletes based on their gender identity; on the other are those who believe that biological sex should be the determining factor in sports participation. The clash between these two perspectives will continue to play out, both in political discourse and in real-world sports competitions.
The responses from the women at the town hall make it clear that the issue resonates strongly, particularly among those who feel the Biden administration’s policies are jeopardizing the future of women’s sports. Trump’s vow to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s events could energize his supporters as he mounts his campaign for a potential return to the White House.
As gender identity debates intensify, Trump’s firm stance sets him apart, making it clear that this is one issue he won’t back down on. Whether this position will help him regain the presidency remains to be seen, but for many in that Georgia audience, Trump was offering the solution they’ve been waiting for.