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Sophie Cunningham's trans athlete remarks draw mixed reactions, including Trump support

3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 1:24 PM

Last updated Jul 30, 2026

Sophie Cunningham's trans athlete remarks draw mixed reactions, including Trump support
Summary

Sophie Cunningham, of the Indiana Fever, has sparked controversy with her comments on transgender athletes competing in women's sports, claiming the need to protect girls. Her remarks were highlighted in an ESPN profile, leading to significant backlash and mixed replies from media personalities. U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly following the situation closely, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating he feels strongly that transgender girls should not compete in women's sports. Leavitt described the situation as common sense, supporting Cunningham's stance. The conversation surrounding these comments continues to evolve, with varying opinions from both supporters and critics.

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Yahoo Sports
By the Numbers
  • •Cunningham claims protecting young girls in sports is her priority.
  • •Donald Trump supports Cunningham's views on transgender athletes.
  • •Stephen A. Smith advocates for separate leagues for transgender athletes.
  • •Responses to Cunningham's comments vary, reflecting a polarized discussion.
Latest Updates
  • 1:24 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Hateful and divisive’: Transgender activist does not hold back on ‘coward’ Sophie Cunningham
  • 3:19 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Mutilization of your children’: Donald Trump speaks out on trans-athletes amid Sophie Cunningham controversy
  • 7:15 AMYahoo Sports — Donald Trump ‘feels strongly’ about Sophie Cunningham’s trans athlete controversy
What they're saying
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Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has made headlines over the past several days after she voiced a controversial opinion on transgender women competing in women’s sports. As Cunningham has repeatedly stood by her opinion, she is now receiving some pushback from a prominent transgender activist. Cunningham spoke out against transgender women competing in women’s sports,…

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Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever caused quite a stir when an ESPN profile of her included her ideas on what was necessary to “protect women’s sports,” which, in Cunningham’s estimation, means keeping transgender girls from competing in sports with other girls. “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m…

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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who is averaging 9.3 points off the bench heading into Tuesday night’s game against the Seattle Storm, ruffled a lot of feathers last week when an ESPN profile about her outspokenness touched on what she felt needed to be done to “protect women’s sports” in relation to trans girls being…

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Indiana FeverSeattle StormBasketball

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