Fact Check: Trump Wants the IOC to Change Olympic Rules on Transgender Athletes
What We Know
On February 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," which aims to prevent transgender women from competing in female sports categories. The order explicitly directs the Secretary of State to advocate for changes to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) eligibility rules to ensure that participation in women's events is determined by biological sex rather than gender identity or testosterone levels (source-1).
During the signing ceremony, Trump stated that his administration intends to "change everything" regarding the IOC's current policies on transgender athletes, which currently allow such athletes to compete in accordance with their gender identity (source-6). This executive order is part of a broader push by Trump and some Republican lawmakers to align U.S. sports policies with their views on gender and athletic competition (source-5).
Analysis
The claim that Trump wants the IOC to change its rules on transgender athletes is substantiated by the content of the executive order he signed. The order outlines a clear directive for the Secretary of State to engage with the IOC and promote policies that protect "female athletes" by ensuring that eligibility for women's sports is determined by biological sex (source-1).
The reliability of the sources confirming this claim is high. The executive order itself is an official document from the White House, making it a primary source of information. Additionally, reputable news outlets such as the Associated Press and BBC have reported on the implications of this order, including Trump's intentions regarding the IOC (source-4, source-8).
However, some sources also highlight the controversy surrounding Trump's actions, noting that they clash with existing international norms regarding transgender participation in sports (source-2). This indicates that while Trump's intentions are clear, the broader context of international sports governance complicates the implementation of such changes.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump wants the IOC to change its rules on transgender athletes is True. The executive order he signed explicitly calls for the IOC to amend its policies to align with his administration's stance on biological sex and athletic competition. The directive is supported by official documentation and corroborated by multiple credible news sources, confirming Trump's commitment to this policy change.
Sources
- Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports - White House
- Trump order on transgender athletes clashes with international norms - Reuters
- Boxing body targets IOC with criminal complaints citing Trump order on ... - AP News
- Trump signs executive order intended to bar transgender ... - AP News
- Republicans Call on Olympic Committee to Bar ... - New York Times
- Trump administration plans to pressure the IOC to come up with a ... - PBS NewsHour
- Trump says transgender athletes will not be permitted entry to 2028 ... - The Hill
- Trump signs order banning transgender women from female sports - BBC News
