California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office faced widespread backlash after sharing a controversial WWE clip of U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon being body-slammed in a promotional skit. The post came shortly after McMahon’s announcement that California’s policies on trans athletes in girls’ sports violated Title IX, prompting a federal ultimatum for the state to amend its policies within 10 days. Critics argued that the clip, which depicts a man overpowering a woman, reinforced the very arguments against trans athletes competing in women’s sports. The post was met with immediate criticism, with social media users and women’s rights activists condemning the decision as insensitive and reinforcing stereotypes. Newsom’s office defended the post, calling it a humorous reference to McMahon’s WWE past, but the backlash highlighted the sensitivity of the issue.
Linda McMahon, who has been deeply involved in wrestling for decades before joining the Trump administration, faced scrutiny over the use of her past. Her husband, Vince McMahon, is the founder of WWE, and she has served as CEO of the organization. However, the decision to use the clip drew attention to the physical nature of the imagery, with critics pointing out the potential for it to be seen as endorsing the very arguments against trans athletes in women’s sports. Some users on social media accused the office of making light of a serious legal issue, while others criticized the portrayal of a woman being physically overpowered by a man.
The U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that California could lose federal funding for its K-12 schools if it fails to comply with Title IX rules added urgency to the situation. Newsom’s office, however, took a defensive stance, claiming that the post was simply a joke referencing McMahon’s wrestling background. In a press release, Newsom’s spokesperson Izzy Gardon defended the move, saying the administration was not serious about the threat of defunding and that the clip was just a humorous reference. Despite this, the controversy over the post continued to escalate, with the potential for broader implications on the discussion surrounding trans athletes in sports.
As the situation unfolded, the California Department of Education reiterated its stance, stating that all students have the right to participate in sports and that the department would continue to support students’ rights in accordance with existing laws. The incident highlighted the polarized nature of the debate over trans inclusion in sports, with some arguing that the issue of fairness is paramount, while others emphasized the need for compassion and support for trans athletes. With the deadline for California to respond to the federal ruling approaching, the state remains under intense scrutiny over its policies on trans athletes in girls’ sports.