According to the Western Journal, President Donald Trump is swinging hard at California, vowing to slap the state with hefty penalties after a transgender athlete dominated the girls’ state track meet.

AB Hernandez, a transgender competitor, clinched gold in the girls’ triple jump and high jump and took second in the long jump at California’s state track and field championship on Saturday. Trump, never one to shy away from a fight, blasted the state’s policies, arguing they undermine fairness in women’s sports.

New rules this year allowed more girls to compete, but Hernandez’s victories sparked outrage from the White House. Trump’s ire isn’t new—he’s been hammering California on this issue since at least May 27, when he posted his disapproval on Truth Social.

Trump’s Social Media Barrage

Calling Governor Gavin Newsom “Gavin Newscum,” Trump didn’t mince words on Truth Social, labeling Hernandez a “less than average” male athlete who’s now “practically unbeatable” in girls’ events. That kind of rhetoric cuts deep, but it’s classic Trump—bold, brash, and unapologetic. Still, it sidesteps the human side of Hernandez’s journey, which deserves a fair shake.

“As a Male, he was a less-than-average competitor,” Trump posted. “As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable.” The claim’s a gut punch, but it’s worth asking: Is the issue Hernandez, or the rules that let this happen?

Trump’s not alone in his stance—a poll cited in the story showed 99% of 346 respondents backed his push to crack down on California. Only four voters disagreed, suggesting the state’s progressive policies might be out of step with broader sentiment. But polls this small are more noise than signal, so take them with a grain of salt.

Executive Actions Take Center Stage

On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” It’s a mouthful, sure, but it signals his administration’s laser focus on rolling back transgender participation in women’s sports. Actions like these show Trump’s playing for keeps.

Weeks later, he doubled down with another action, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” California, with its permissive stance, was always going to be in the crosshairs. The Golden State’s defiance feels like a dare, and Trump’s not one to back down.

Trump’s threats escalated Monday when he vowed to withhold federal funding—potentially forever—from California’s education system if the state doesn’t reverse course. “Large-scale fines will be imposed!!!” he declared. It’s a high-stakes gamble that could hit schools hard, especially those already strapped for cash.

Newsom in the Hot Seat

Trump says he’ll call Newsom to hash things out, but don’t hold your breath for a kumbaya moment. Newsom’s been a vocal defender of California’s inclusive policies, and he’s not likely to budge. The governor’s silence so far speaks volumes—sometimes, saying nothing says it all.

“Please be hereby advised that large-scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to,” Trump warned. It’s a direct shot across the bow, and California’s got to feel the heat. But will Newsom blink, or double down?

Trump also ordered local authorities to block Hernandez from competing in the upcoming state finals, calling the situation “totally ridiculous.” It’s a bold move, but stepping into local turf risks overreach. The feds telling small-town officials what to do rarely goes over well.

Fairness vs. Inclusion Debate

“In the meantime, I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, not to allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals,” Trump added. The directive’s clear, but it’s a blunt tool for a nuanced issue. Fairness in sports matters, but so does respecting individuals caught in the crossfire.

California’s track meet rules were meant to open doors, but they’ve sparked a firestorm instead. Trump’s framing it as a betrayal of girls who’ve trained their hearts out, and it’s hard to argue that biological differences don’t play a role. Yet, dismissing transgender athletes outright feels like slamming the door on empathy.

The clash between Trump and California isn’t just about one athlete—it’s a proxy war over values, fairness, and who gets to define the rules. Both sides dig in, but the kids on the track deserve better than being pawns in a political slugfest. Turns out, actions have consequences, and this fight’s just getting started.