President Donald Trump has announced that Maine will lose all federal funding unless the state complies with his executive order barring biological males from competing in women’s sports. Speaking at a Republican Governors Association meeting, Trump expressed frustration over Maine’s continued allowance of transgender athletes in female competitions.
“I hate to tell you this, but we’re not going to give them any federal money,” Trump said, directly challenging Maine Governor Janet Mills. During a White House working session, Trump confronted Mills, asking if she would comply with the order. Mills responded, “I’m complying with state and federal laws.”
“Well, we are the federal law,” Trump replied, insisting that unless Maine enforces the ban, “you’re not gonna get any federal funding, none whatsoever.”
Mills pushed back, warning that Maine will take legal action to restore any funding the state loses. “The State of Maine will not be intimidated by the president’s threats,” she said, vowing to fight Trump in court.
The dispute gained national attention after State Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) criticized a biological male who won Maine’s high school pole vaulting championship in the girls’ division. Libby thanked Trump for intervening, stating, “With $280M+ per year on the line, this shouldn’t be a hard choice for Maine Democrats.”
Trump’s February executive order bars schools receiving federal funding from allowing biological males in women’s sports. Schools that fail to comply risk losing financial support and investigation for Title IX violations.
The legal battle between the Trump administration and Maine could set a precedent for other states that resist federal policies on transgender athletes. With over $280 million in federal funding at stake, the outcome may impact school budgets, athletic programs, and broader debates over Title IX enforcement. As legal challenges unfold, the issue continues to divide state and federal leadership, with both sides standing firm on their interpretations of fairness, biology, and civil rights in women’s sports.
