Calif opens track-and-field high school finals to more girls while allowing a male to compete

The California Interscholastic Federation, the governing board for state high school sports, opened track-and-field finals to more girls after allowing a male to compete and amid pressure from President Trump.

The CIF announced on Tuesday that it was allowing more “biological female” athletes to participate in the championship meet, The Associated Press reported. 

“Under this pilot entry process, any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their Section’s automatic qualifying entries in the CIF State meet, and did not achieve the CIF State at-large mark in the finals at their Section meet, was extended an opportunity to participate in the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships,” the federation said in a statement.

“The CIF believes this pilot entry process achieves the participation opportunities we seek to afford our student-athletes.”

On Tuesday morning, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from California if the governor and fellow Democrats in the state continue to defy his executive order banning males from playing in women's sports.

"California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow 'MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,'" Trump posted on Truth Social. "This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won 'everything,' and is now qualified to compete in the 'State Finals' next weekend. As a Male, he was a less than average competitor. As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable.

"THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS," he continued. "Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it is 'UNFAIR.' I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!"

Trump's post referred to AB Hernandez, a male athlete who identifies as a girl and is scheduled to compete in the girls varsity triple jump, high jump, and long jump in the state finals after winning the Division 3 girls long jump and girls triple jump and placing seventh in the high jump at the Southern Section Division Finals on May 19, according to CIF results.

In March, on his podcast with Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said it is “deeply unfair” for males to participate in girls sports.

Newsom's office on Tuesday did not confirm to the AP that Trump called the governor, but said that the federation's rule change was a “thoughtful approach.”

“CIF’s proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness — a model worth pursuing,” Newsom’s spokesperson Izzy Gardon said.