President Donald Trump renewed his threat early Tuesday to impose "large-scale fines" on California after a transgender high school athlete, AB Hernandez, won gold in two girls’ events at the state track and field championships.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump criticized the state for allowing "a biological male" to compete, warning Governor Gavin Newsom that penalties would follow.
Hernandez, 16, won the high jump and triple jump and placed second in the long jump. Following Trump’s initial threat last week, the California Interscholastic Federation introduced new rules allowing additional female-born athletes to receive medals alongside transgender competitors.
Under these guidelines, Hernandez shared podium spots with top female-assigned finishers.
The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into California’s 2013 law permitting transgender student-athletes to compete in line with their gender identity, questioning whether it violates Title IX.
Trump has signaled potential federal funding cuts if his executive order is not enforced.
