The Trump administration has seized on recent comments by WNBA player Sophie Cunningham about transgender athletes, using her remarks to bolster the president’s position on restricting transgender participation in women’s sports.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday that President Donald Trump is “following” coverage of Cunningham’s statements and has strong feelings on the matter. Leavitt praised the Indiana Fever player for speaking what she called the “truth” about transgender female athletes.
“We want to protect women and girls,” Leavitt said at a White House briefing, criticizing what she described as backlash against Cunningham from Democrats and left-wing figures. The Education Department separately posted an image of Cunningham wearing a crown with text stating that “common sense prevails.”
Cunningham, who plays alongside Caitlin Clark for the Fever, made her initial comments in an ESPN article earlier this week. She told reporters Wednesday that she stood by those remarks.
“I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” Cunningham told ESPN.
Divided Response Within WNBA
The comments have drawn sharply different reactions within the professional basketball community. While GOP politicians and athletes including tennis legend Martina Navratilova praised Cunningham’s position, some WNBA figures pushed back strongly.
Minnesota Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve said attacks on transgender people had become “way more aggressive” and called it “sort of sickening” that lawmakers were focusing on what she characterized as a problem that “really [is] not” one.
“Exclusion is never the answer, separate isn’t equal, and trans lives matter,” Reeve said, adding that she hoped people would become “more educated” about transgender athletes.
Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner, who briefly played alongside Cunningham last year, amplified Reeve’s remarks on social media. “I’ve been an advocate for the trans community since I entered the WNBA,” Turner wrote. “So many takes about them are based on fearmongering and bigotry.”
There has never been a publicly out transgender female player in the WNBA.
Polling and Political Context
Public opinion appears largely aligned with Cunningham’s position. A June poll from Quinnipiac University found that seven in 10 voters believe transgender women and girls should not be allowed to play on women’s and girls’ school sports teams.
Clay Travis, a sports commentator and Fox News contributor who has spoken with administration officials about the issue, said he sent a video of Cunningham’s comments to Trump. He described the White House reaction as one of relief at having a current professional athlete speak out on the topic.
“I think their reaction is ‘finally,'” Travis said. “They are happy to have someone speaking out who currently plays pro sports.”
Trump moved quickly after taking office to reverse transgender policies from the Biden administration, including issuing an executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing on girls’ and women’s sports teams.
The White House previously featured Cunningham in its social media content, splicing video of her signature pointing gesture with footage of Trump making a similar gesture.
Cunningham Describes Herself as Centrist
Cunningham has declined to align herself with either major political party.
“I’m very much in the middle. I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides,” she told ESPN. “And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume.”
The 29-year-old player has gained considerable attention since becoming Clark’s teammate last year. Her recent social media activity, including posts about data centers and military veterans, has prompted speculation about potential political ambitions.
In a statement to The Washington Post, the Indiana Fever supported Cunningham’s right to express her views while emphasizing organizational values of inclusion.
“Our players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own,” the team said. “We are committed to welcoming fans from every background and treating everyone with respect, and that’s what guides us as an organization.”
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
