Trump administration cuts $175 million in funding to University of Pennsylvania over transgender athlete

The Trump administration has suspended approximately $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania, citing the school's policies allowing transgender athlete Lia Thomas to compete on the women's swimming team. This funding suspension is part of a broader investigation initiated by the Education Department following Trump's executive order aimed at banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. The suspended funds, sourced from the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services, are a result of a separate review rather than the ongoing Title IX investigation. A spokesperson for Penn stated the university has always complied with NCAA and Ivy League policies regarding student athlete participation. Critics argue that Thomas's participation has undermined women's sports, leading to calls for her records to be reconsidered. The funding pause reflects the administration's stance on gender identity in sports and its implications for educational institutions.