Caitlyn Jenner has been widely criticised on social media after publicly supporting US President Donald Trump’s executive order banning trans women from participating in women’s and girls’ sports.
The order, signed on Wednesday (6 February) to coincide with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, aims to “keep men out of women’s sports,” according to Trump. It is the latest in a series of anti-trans policies introduced by his administration, including limiting gender recognition to only “two sexes,” banning trans people from military service and restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare for those under 19.
Jenner, an Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete who came out as trans in 2015, expressed her approval of the ban on X, writing:
“Another victory in the fight for protecting women’s sports! President Trump signs an Executive Order keeping biological men out of women’s sports! As an Olympian, I will continue to fight this issue, lobbying sport governing bodies all over the world to follow our lead.”
Her comments triggered widespread criticism, with many social media users questioning why she continues to support a president who has enacted policies restricting trans rights.
One user responded: “Trump has pretty much said that you are not real, that you are a demented pervert and don’t exist… yet you continue to support him. As for trans athletes, 5 out of 500,000 NCAA athletes are trans… [it] is not something to get worked up over.”
Another person took aim at Jenner’s Olympic achievements, writing: “So by Trump banning transgender athletes from participating in the Olympics, maybe you should surrender your Olympic medals. How you feel about that now?”
‘Turning Her Back on the Community’
A meme circulating online called out Jenner for “turning her back on her community,” suggesting that aligning herself with far-right Republicans would not earn her acceptance.
One critic wrote: “She’s spent years licking the boots of a party that doesn’t care about her as a trans woman. To them, she’s just another ‘man in a dress.’ Maybe now she’ll realize that cozying up to conservatives doesn’t buy her a seat at their table—it just gets her kicked out of their restroom.”
Jenner has been an outspoken supporter of Trump for years despite accusations of his administration’s repeated attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.
In January, she faced backlash after celebrating Trump’s inauguration, writing that she was “just as happy, actually more happy, than the first time” to see him take office.
Many were baffled by her unwavering support, with one person commenting: “I don’t understand how you can support an office that is trying to re-alienate you from society?”
Another simply asked: “He just publicly said you are not accepted—how do you feel about him now?”
Despite the mounting criticism, Jenner has continued to align herself with Trump’s politics, further distancing herself from much of the LGBTQ+ community.
