Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump warned California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of upcoming consequences in his state after a biological male won two state titles against females in track and field.
The president shared the statement on Truth Social on Monday.
“A Biological Male competed in California Girls State Finals, WINNING BIG, despite the fact that they were warned by me not to do so. As Governor Gavin Newscum fully understands, large scale fines will be imposed!!!” he wrote.
AB Hernandez, a biological male participating as a female athlete from Jurupa Valley High School, claimed first place in the girls’ high jump and triple jump at the California state track and field championships on Saturday, held at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium. Hernandez also earned second place in the long jump, finishing behind Loren Webster of Woodrow Wilson High School.
Hernandez dominated the preliminary rounds on Friday, taking the top spot in all three events. Under new rules implemented by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) just days before the championship, female athletes who placed immediately behind Hernandez were awarded medals based on where they ranked among biological females.
As a result, during medal ceremonies, female athletes who would have otherwise received a medal if Hernandez had not competed were recognized and stood alongside Hernandez on the podium. CIF said the policy was intended to ensure fairness while complying with state guidelines on transgender participation in sports.
The competition drew intense attention and protest activity from both sides of the issue. Demonstrators in support of LGBTQ+ inclusion and advocates for women’s sports gathered at the venue on Friday and Saturday, holding signs, flags and wearing clothing expressing their respective views.
Trump previously weighed in on the controversy with a Truth Social post on Tuesday, threatening to cut federal funding to California if transgender athletes were allowed to compete in girls’ sports events. California officials did not block Hernandez’s participation, opting instead to implement the new medal distribution rules.
The Department of Education has been reviewing the state’s policies since February, and the Department of Justice announced a separate investigation last week in response to concerns about compliance with federal protections. Trump signed the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order on Feb. 5, aiming to ban male athletes from participating in female sports divisions.
