Two transgender women finished first and second in a women's category Sunday at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships, prompting Donald Trump Jr. on Monday to condemn the victories on X, formerly Twitter, to his 10.7 million followers.
The debate over transgender athletes is a focal point in America's culture wars. Last year, the University of Pennsylvania's Lia Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA swimming championship. Thomas' victory sparked a heated national debate over her participation. In April, the U.S. House passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The bill however, didn't get through the Democratic-controlled Senate.
The eldest son of former President Donald Trump wasn't the only influential figure taking to X in speaking out against Sunday's Cyclocross result.
Swimmer Riley Gaines, a vocal critic of transgender women competing in female categories, along with tennis legend Martina Navratilova, also took aim at the event.
Trump Jr. posted on X: "This BS is getting so old. Say enough is enough NOW. Fight to keep biological men out of women's sports?"
Trump Jr. also linked to a PragerU petition titled: "Save Women's Sports. Demand a Fair Playing Field."
The Sunday competition was the final challenge in the eight-race Chicago CycloCross Cup, consisting of more than a dozen different competitions for men, women and junior athletes.
Transgender athletes Tessa Johnson and Evelyn Williamson finished first and second, respectively, in the Women's Singlespeed category.
This BS is getting so old. Say enough is enough NOW. Fight to keep biological men out of women’s sports? ⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/DxPmmwKwUB https://t.co/rDtI3kwgQG
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 4, 2023
Newsweek reached out to Trump Jr. and the Chicago CycloCross Cup for additional comment via email on Monday.
According to the Chicago CrossCup's website, the competition prides itself on "first and foremost fostering a positive and supportive community built around competitive cyclocross racing. That means welcoming and challenging everyone who wants to contribute to the series and make it better in that regard."
In its official FAQ, the Chicago CrossCup states that "discrimination or harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, or any other stupid idea someone comes up with to belittle another racer will not be tolerated at [our] events and may result in disqualification."
Gaines, who tied Thomas for fifth in the 200-yard freestyle while swimming for Kentucky, notably attended the premiere of the controversial new film Lady Ballers on Wednesday. The movie follows a school basketball coach who forms a team of men to pose as women as a means to dominate women's sports. Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz makes a cameo in the film.
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