Trump freezes UPenn out of $175M over women’s athletics policy

(The Center Square) – The Trump administration froze $175 million in federal funds to the University of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, citing its promised crackdown on institutions that support athlete policies permitting boys in girls sports.

The president’s rapid response team confirmed the move on X, saying “promises made, promises kept” – an oft-repeated refrain meant to connect the administration’s latest policy moves with campaign-era rhetoric.

The Ivy League college was thrust into the forefront of the debate in 2022 after it allowed Lia Thomas, competitor on the men’s team for three years before switching to the women’s team, to compete in the women’s NCAA swimming championships.

Riley Gaines, a swimmer from the University of Kentucky who tied for fifth place with Thomas in the 200 freestyle final, later became the face of a political movement advocating against men competing in women’s sports. Penn swimmer Paula Scanlan also told her story, was befriended by Gaines and is among the leading advocates.

“Three years ago to the day I raced and tied a man at the DI NCAA Championships in the 200 freestyle,” Gaines said in a post on X on Wednesday. “Today, the Trump administration paused $175M in federal funding to University Pennsylvania for this reason. Serendipitous.”

In a statement to Newsweek, the university said it heard the reports but had not received any official details.

“It is important to note, however, that Penn has always followed NCAA and Ivy League policies regarding student participation on athletic teams,” the university statement said.