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White House backs Trump; WNBA guard omitted after anti-trans remarks

7/24/2026

39 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Cunningham Sparks Backlash

On July 23, 2026, U.S. guard Sophie Cunningham said transgender girls should not compete in sports.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump follows it, agrees men shouldn’t play in women’s sports, and called the backlash ludicrous.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s “No Space For Hate” policy, launched last year, has spurred fans to demand disciplinary action against Cunningham.

Summary

Cunningham Snubbed

Cunningham was not invited to the 2026 WNBA 3-Point Contest despite ranking second at 43.7%.
She will travel to Chicago for the All-Star break, spend time on a boat, and cheer teammates Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.
Cunningham and Brittney Griner embraced before the Fever-Sun game, while Indiana entered with a 16-10 record near the Eastern Conference top after a 108-88 win over the New York Liberty.

History

Historical Context

The IOC first required sex verification in the 1940s, then issued transgender guidelines in 2003 and a testosterone-under-10 nmol/L rule in 2015 under President Thomas Bach. After Laurel Hubbard’s 2021 Olympic debut, the IOC tightened rules, and in March 2026 announced an SRY-gene ban for trans women. The WNBA’s 2026 “No Space For Hate” stance echoes this long-standing clash over fairness and inclusion.

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Cunningham Sparks Backlash

On July 23, 2026, U.S. guard Sophie Cunningham said transgender girls should not compete in sports.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump follows it, agrees men shouldn’t play in women’s sports, and called the backlash ludicrous.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s “No Space For Hate” policy, launched last year, has spurred fans to demand disciplinary action against Cunningham.

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