Vice President JD Vance praises Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's comments on transgender athletes
JD Vance told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that Sophie Cunningham’s remarks on transgender participation in women’s sports show courage and should encourage others to speak their minds, sparking debate on social media.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has drawn attention after stating that she believes biological girls should be protected from competing against transgender women in women’s sports. In an ESPN interview she said she has not expressed hatred toward trans people, but wants to “protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.” She later reiterated the view on X, emphasizing a “safe space and love for everybody” while defending her stance.
During a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham, Vice President JD Vance praised Cunningham’s remarks, calling them “courageous” and urging her to keep speaking her mind. He said her example could inspire others to voice their opinions, adding that the country needs people willing to do so in order to “save America.”
Vance’s comments generated a wave of criticism on social media, with users questioning the prevalence of transgender athletes in professional sports and drawing comparisons to Republican criticism of other athletes. Some commenters labeled the focus on trans athletes as “red meat for the base” and highlighted statistics indicating that transgender participation at the collegiate and Olympic levels is extremely low.
The White House noted that President Donald Trump feels strongly about the issue, though he has not issued a direct statement.