Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw federal funding from Maine in a heated confrontation with Governor Janet Mills over transgender athletes in women's sports, with the wife of US tennis legend Andy Roddick since reacting on social media.
The clash occurred during a White House meeting with governors, where Trump demanded Maine comply with his executive order banning transgender women and girls from women's sports.
"Are you not going to comply with it?" Trump challenged Mills during the tense exchange in Washington.
"I'm complying with state and federal laws," Mills responded firmly.
Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw federal funding from Maine in a heated confrontation with Governor Janet Mills over transgender athletes in women's sports, with the wife of US tennis legend Andy Roddick since reacting on social media
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Trump escalated the confrontation, declaring: "We are federal law. You better do it, because you're not going to get federal funding."
"Your population doesn't want men in women's sports," the former president added.
Governor Mills remained defiant, responding: "Well see you in court."
Brooklyn Decker, the wife of US tennis legend Andy Roddick, has taken to social media to blast Donald Trump
"Good. I'll see you in court. I'll look forward to that," Trump retorted. "That should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after, governor, because I don't think you'll be in elected politics."
Hours after the confrontation, the government launched a federal civil rights investigation into Maine's Department of Education.
Brooklyn Decker, wife of tennis icon Roddick, criticised Trump's approach to the issue.
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Responding to a social media post praising Mills for standing up to the President, Decker wrote on her Instagram story: "Leave it to states. But You'd better comply. What a joke."
Decker, an actress and model, has been married to 2003 US Open champion Roddick since 2009.
Trump's executive order includes provisions to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its inclusion policy ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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The order also calls for a review of policies "permitting admission to the United States of males seeking to participate in women's sports".
IOC president Sebastian Coe offered partial support for Trump's position, stating the President was "right in principle" to seek transgender athletes' exclusion from women's sport.
However, Coe distanced himself from visa restrictions, noting: "I'm not going to get into the local conditions that he is setting about visas and all that, that is very much a US issue."
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Donald Trump has issued a stark warning about institutions allowing transgender athletes to compete against biological women
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Trump issued a stark warning about institutions allowing transgender athletes in women's sports.
"If you let men take over women's sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding," he said.
