US Suspends $175 Million Funding to University of Pennsylvania Over Transgender Sports Policies
The United States government has halted $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania in response to its policies on transgender student-athletes, marking the latest move by the Biden administration to push schools toward compliance with its regulations.
The Ivy League institution, which gained national attention in 2022 when a transgender swimmer competed on its women’s team, was informed of the suspension through media reports, as it had not received any official notification. The funding freeze comes in the wake of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump last month, banning transgender athletes from participating in female-only sports teams at schools.
Critics of the order argue that it undermines the rights of a small group of athletes, while supporters believe it ensures fairness in women’s sports. A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania emphasized that the institution has always adhered to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Ivy League guidelines concerning student-athlete participation.
“We have consistently followed the regulations set by the NCAA and Ivy League, and continue to do so today,” the spokesperson remarked.
This development is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to cut federal funding to universities over issues such as transgender rights, diversity and inclusion programs, and campus protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump has previously warned that universities could face funding cuts if they do not align with his administration’s policies on these topics.
