Trump Administration Freezing Penn Funds Because of the Lia Thomas Situation

From The Associated Press:

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has suspended approximately $175 million in federal funding for the University of Pennsylvania over the participation of a transgender athlete in its swimming program, the White House said Wednesday.

The Ivy League school has been facing an Education Department investigation focusing on its swimming program. 

…

But the federal money was suspended in a separate review of discretionary federal money going to universities, the White House said. The money that was paused came from the Defense Department and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The story goes on to quote a Penn spokesman, who says they are in compliance and have not been notified of any funding freeze.

It also mentions that the investigation “focuses” on Lia Thomas, the transgender swimmer who was on the team a few years ago and won a D1 title. Thomas graduated in 2022 and hasn’t been involved with the program for about three years now. Thomas had planned to compete at the 2024 Olympic trials, but new rules at the International Swimming Federation effectively ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s competitions. Noteworthy is that Thomas was an amateur athlete in college, now considered a pro and subject to different rules.

As you’re probably aware, President Trump signed an executive order in February banning trans women from competing in women’s sports. Trump is a Penn grad and has a bachelor’s degree in economics.

disclaimer: this is not a political post and blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda

The post Trump Administration Freezing Penn Funds Because of the Lia Thomas Situation appeared first on Crossing Broad.