LIA RESTORED TO WILLIAM THOMAS

BY SNN.BZ STAFF

University of Pennsylvania Complies with Trump Administration’s Demand to Ban Men from Women’s Sports, Revoking William Thomas’s Medals

In a decisive move, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has fully complied with President Donald Trump’s demand to remove men from women’s sports, culminating in the revocation of all swimming medals and records earned by William Thomas, previously known as Lia Thomas, during the 2021–2022 NCAA women’s swimming season.

Announced on July 1, 2025, this action aligns with a broader agreement between Penn and the Trump administration’s Department of Education, driven by an executive order mandating “biology-based” definitions of sex in athletics at federally funded institutions. The resolution marks a significant shift in Penn’s athletic policies, reshaping the landscape of women’s sports at the university.

The Investigation and Trump’s DemandThe controversy centers on William Thomas, a male athlete who competed on Penn’s men’s swimming team for three seasons before transitioning to the women’s team in 2021.

Under the name Lia Thomas, he won the NCAA Division I women’s 500-yard freestyle title in 2022, becoming the first openly transgender athlete to claim such a championship.

His participation sparked widespread backlash, with critics arguing that allowing a biological male to compete in women’s events violated Title IX, the 1972 federal law ensuring equal opportunities in education and athletics.On February 5, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order banning men from women’s sports at institutions receiving federal funding, citing the need to protect “fairness for women and girls.”

The Department of Education, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, launched an investigation into Penn’s handling of Thomas’s participation, alleging Title IX violations. The investigation escalated when the administration paused $175 million in federal funding to Penn in March 2025, including grants from the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services.

The Trump administration demanded that Penn bar biological males from women’s sports, revoke Thomas’s medals and records, and issue apologies to affected female athletes.Penn’s Compliance and AgreementFacing the threat of prolonged funding cuts, Penn entered into a voluntary resolution agreement with the Department of Education on July 1, 2025.

The agreement includes the following key terms:

Revocation of William Thomas’s Medals and Records: Penn officially stripped Thomas of all medals and records earned in women’s swimming events, including the 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyle races. The university updated its record books to reflect female athletes as the rightful winners, with a footnote stating that Thomas’s achievements were recorded under outdated NCAA eligibility rules.
Ban on Men in Women’s Sports: Penn adopted a policy prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s athletic programs or using female-only facilities, aligning with Trump’s “biology-based” definition of sex.
Apology Letters to Female Athletes: The university agreed to send personalized letters to female swimmers who competed against Thomas, acknowledging the “competitive disadvantage and emotional distress” caused by his participation.
Public Commitment to Title IX: Penn issued a statement on its main website, signed by President J. Larry Jameson, reaffirming its commitment to Title IX and ensuring that only biological females compete in women’s sports.

In exchange, the Trump administration restored the $175 million in federal funding, averting a financial crisis for the university. Education Secretary McMahon praised Penn’s compliance, stating, “President Trump’s leadership has ensured that women’s sports at Penn are now fair and safe for female athletes.

This is a model for other universities.”Context and BacklashThe decision follows a February 2025 lawsuit filed by three former Penn swimmers—Grace Estabrook, Ellen Holmquist, and Margot Kaczorowski—against Penn, the Ivy League, the NCAA, and Harvard University.

The swimmers, supported by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), argued that Thomas’s participation deprived them of fair competition and violated their privacy in locker rooms. The lawsuit demanded the nullification of Thomas’s records, a demand now met by Penn’s agreement.The move has polarized stakeholders.

Supporters, including former Penn swimmer Paula Scanlan, celebrated the outcome. Scanlan, who opposed Thomas’s participation, told Fox News, “President Trump kept his promise to protect women’s sports. Penn finally did the right thing by removing a man from our records.” Posts on X from accounts like

@TrumpWarRoom and @FoxNews echoed this sentiment, framing the revocation as a victory for fairness.

Critics, however, decried the decision as discriminatory. The ACLU, which previously represented Thomas in a 2024 challenge against World Aquatics, argued that the agreement marginalizes transgender athletes and misinterprets Title IX.

In a statement to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the ACLU said, “Barring athletes based on their transgender status is unlawful and cruel.” Thomas has not commented publicly on the revocation, but his prior remarks emphasized that blanket bans on transgender athletes are discriminatory.

Faculty dissent at Penn was notable, with 600 professors signing a letter in April 2025 urging the university to resist Trump’s demands, citing academic freedom and inclusivity.Penn’s Path Forward with TrumpPenn’s compliance positions it as a frontrunner in adhering to the Trump administration’s Title IX enforcement strategy.

The university’s decision to settle, rather than pursue litigation like Harvard, reflects a pragmatic approach to secure funding and avoid further scrutiny. The restoration of $175 million ensures Penn’s research and operational stability, but the policy shift has sparked internal debate.

President Jameson’s statement emphasized a “commitment to fairness and compliance,” but also pledged to maintain a “welcoming environment,” a balancing act that may prove challenging.The agreement aligns with broader NCAA policy changes. On February 6, 2025, the NCAA updated its transgender policy to ban biological males from women’s sports, prompted by Trump’s executive order and ongoing litigation.

Penn’s actions may influence other institutions under similar investigations, such as San Jose State University, where a volleyball player’s participation has drawn scrutiny.Broader ImplicationsThe revocation of William Thomas’s medals and Penn’s adoption of a biology-based policy mark a significant victory for the Trump administration’s agenda.

Secretary McMahon warned that other universities failing to comply face funding cuts or legal action. The agreement has also intensified the national debate over transgender athletes, with supporters arguing it restores fairness and critics warning of exclusionary precedents.

On X, sentiment remains divided. Accounts like @Riley_Gaines_ praised the move, stating, “Penn finally admitted men don’t belong in women’s sports.” Others, aligned with groups like Athlete Ally, called it a “step backward for equality.”

The controversy underscores the ongoing tension between protecting women’s sports and ensuring transgender inclusion.ConclusionThe University of Pennsylvania’s compliance with President Trump’s demand to remove men from women’s sports, exemplified by the revocation of William Thomas’s medals and records, reflects a seismic shift in collegiate athletics.

By banning biological males from women’s teams, issuing apologies, and aligning with Trump’s Title IX interpretation, Penn has secured its federal funding but ignited debate over fairness and inclusion.

As the Trump administration continues to enforce its policies, Penn’s agreement may serve as a blueprint for other institutions, reshaping women’s sports nationwide.