Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office reacted humorously to the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that the state had violated Title IX by permitting trans athletes to compete in women’s sports.
Posts from Newsom’s Press Office on social media poked fun at U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, sharing a comedic video featuring Knox County Mayor Glenn Thomas Jacobs, also known as “Kane,” performing a wrestling move on McMahon from an early 2000s episode of a popular show.
This sparked significant backlash from residents in California and women’s rights advocates nationwide. McMahon is now addressing the controversy stemming from these social media exchanges.
“I was surprised Newsom used that clip. When I mentioned he wasn’t treating this matter seriously, that was not what I expected,” McMahon stated in a recent interview. “He seemed to want to make light of serious issues, yet there are women losing scholarship and sponsorship opportunities because of this situation.”
McMahon also highlighted that her office had shared clips of Newsom, but noted that a different governor had recently voiced concern on a podcast about the fairness of allowing trans athletes in women’s sports.
“It’s kind of amusing. I remarked that including that footage of Gavin was unfair on my podcast too, so I sent him a letter saying, ‘Your mouth has your mouth,’” she added.
When McMahon appeared on a television segment last Wednesday, she warned that California might risk losing federal funding for K-12 schools if they do not comply with certain regulations.
A press release from the Department of Education indicated a potential risk to high school sports leagues and the California Department of Education if they do not adhere to these regulations.
In response to the Education Department’s announcement, Newsom’s office expressed frustration. They remarked, “It’s not surprising to see the Trump administration continually threaten funding. Secretary McMahon’s approach is theatrical and disconnected from reality; it just won’t work.”
The Trump administration is pushing back against multiple states, including lawsuits involving Maine and Minnesota regarding compliance with similar policies.
On Tuesday, McMahon and the Department of Education made a significant move in their campaign concerning trans athletes, revealing an agreement with the University of Pennsylvania. This agreement includes an apology to all female swimmers affected by the inclusion of trans swimmer Leah Thomas during the 2021-22 season, along with a commitment by the university to set a biological definition of “male” and “female.”
McMahon expressed hope that this agreement would resonate with states opposing Trump. She stated, “We genuinely hope they recognize their obligations to comply with Title IX. The law is clear, and failing to do so could lead to funding penalties. It’s simply common sense: men shouldn’t compete in women’s sports.”
