By Gwurld4026 
UPenn’s $175M Funding Halted by Trump Over Trans Sports Policy
The Trump administration has suspended approximately $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) due to its decision to allow transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete in women’s events.
Background:
- Lia Thomas’ Participation: Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, competed on UPenn’s women’s swimming team, achieving significant accolades, including being named Ivy League champion and setting records at the Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships in February 2022.
- Executive Order: President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” aiming to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports categories.
Federal Funding Details:
- Scope of Funding: The suspended funds are linked to the Departments of Health and Human Services and Defense. In 2024, UPenn received approximately $693.6 million from Health and Human Services and nearly $52.2 million from the Department of Defense.
- University’s Response: UPenn stated it has not received official notification regarding the suspension. The university emphasized its compliance with NCAA and Ivy League policies concerning student-athlete participation.
Reactions:
- Administration’s Stance: A senior administration official indicated that the funding pause serves as a warning to UPenn and other institutions, suggesting potential further actions if policies contradict federal directives.
- Advocacy Groups: The funding suspension has sparked debates among advocacy groups, with some supporting the administration’s decision to uphold traditional definitions of women’s sports, while others argue it undermines inclusivity and the rights of transgender individuals.
This development highlights the ongoing national discourse surrounding transgender participation in sports and the balance between inclusivity and competitive fairness.
For a detailed news report on this topic, you can watch the following video: