President Donald Trump used the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum as a blunt stage to call out what he sees as a cultural mismatch over transgender athletes in women’s sports, describing how Saudi guests reacted with disbelief to U.S. debates on the issue and recounting a dramatic example of a trans weightlifter beating a woman by a large margin. His comments pressed the point that other countries find some American positions puzzling and that national leaders are asking whether the rules we accept make sense. This piece reports on his remarks, the political context in Washington, and national polling that shows widespread skepticism about allowing biological males to compete in women’s athletics.
President Donald Trump spoke at the Kennedy Center during the forum and said the Saudis were stunned by American arguments defending transgender athletes in women’s sports. He described watching a congressman defend the idea and then detailed a case that he said highlighted the problem clearly. The moment, he suggested, left many foreign guests incredulous about the direction of U.S. sports policies.
“The man was 119 pounds higher than a woman champion, who was a phenomenal champion,” Trump said. “Beat her by 119, and he was an average lifter prior to transitioning. A lot of the Saudis are sitting here saying, ‘What the hell is he talking about — transitioning?'” Those exact words were used to frame his argument about fairness and physical differences. The image he painted put the dispute in stark, visceral terms that are easy for an audience to visualize.
He added that Saudi norms on transitioning differ from trends in the United States and used that contrast to question American priorities. “The Saudis are saying, ‘What is he talking about?,’” Trump said. “They’re saying, ‘What do you mean women are playing against men? No, that doesn’t happen, does it?’ Yeah, it does. These people are crazy.” Keeping the quote intact highlights the bluntness of the exchange and the cultural disconnect he emphasized.
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The president pointed to active legal fights on the matter, noting that many Democrats have weighed in at the Supreme Court level. A group of more than 130 congressional Democrats filed an amicus brief urging justices to rule in favor of trans athletes challenging state bans, reflecting how the issue splits political lines even while provoking public debate. High-profile names appeared among the signers, showing the depth of support for those plaintiffs within one party.
Those legal battles include cases brought by Becky Pepper-Jackson, a trans teen from West Virginia, and Lindsay Hecox, who successfully challenged an Idaho law to compete on a women’s college team. The disputes are now at the center of national conversations about eligibility, fairness, and how laws should handle sex and gender in sports. Republicans like the president argue that biological realities matter when it comes to competitive fairness in women’s events.
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Polling referenced by the president reveals skepticism across the electorate, not just among conservatives. A New York Times/Ipsos survey in January found that most Americans oppose allowing biological males who identify as women to compete against women in sports, including a surprising share of Democrats. Of the 2,128 participants, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to compete against women, including 67% of those who identified as Democrats or leaning Democrat.
The president’s tone was pointed and unapologetic, aimed at making the debate about fairness and common sense rather than identity politics. He framed the issue as one where international observers can make plain what many in the country already feel. In a political landscape where cultural clashes decide voter energy, that approach is meant to resonate with those who want clearer rules on who can compete in women’s athletics.
