Fact Check: Are Transgender Girls Banned from School Sports Under Trump’s Executive Order?

A DBUNK subscriber recently requested a fact check on an article published by CNN titled “Two transgender girls sue to challenge Trump’s executive order banning them from girls’ school sports”. The article reports on two transgender students challenging former President Trump’s executive order concerning transgender participation in school sports.

What’s Accurate?

The article correctly reports that the Trump administration signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which impacts transgender female athletes by threatening to withhold federal funding from educational institutions that allow their participation in girls’ sports. The lawsuit brought by the two transgender students in New Hampshire is factual and aligns with ongoing legal battles concerning transgender rights.

What’s Misleading?

The headline and parts of the article assert that the executive order “bans” transgender girls from girls’ school sports. However, the order does not explicitly bar them from participating. Instead, it establishes consequences for schools that choose to allow transgender athletes, such as potential withdrawal of federal funding. The article lacks clarity in making this distinction.

Another misleading element is the use of the phrase “coordinated campaign to prevent transgender people from functioning in society,” which is attributed to a plaintiff’s attorney. While it’s a quote, the article does not provide a counterpoint or an explanation of the administration’s justification for the executive order, which it argues is about fairness in women’s sports.

Missing Context: Locker Rooms and Showers

A DBUNK user asked whether transgender women can now access women’s locker rooms and showers. The article does not address this, but based on the available legal information, the executive order applies strictly to school sports participation and does not include provisions about locker room or shower access. Many school policies on these matters are determined at the local or state level rather than by federal mandates.

Key Takeaways

The CNN article does contain factual information regarding the lawsuit and the executive order. However, it lacks a balanced discussion about the reasoning behind the policy change and omits critical distinctions between an outright “ban” and the financial penalties threatened against schools that do not comply with the directive.

As misinformation continues to spread, having accurate and well-contextualized reporting is essential. Interested in fact-checking more articles? Submit your requests to DBUNK, and we will investigate misleading claims for free.