Trump invites volleyball player left with brain damage by trans rival to his joint address to Congress

WASHINGTON, DC: Former high school volleyball player Payton McNabb was introduced by President Donald Trump when he delivered his first address to the joint session of Congress in his second term on Tuesday, March 4, reported the Daily Mail.

According to the publication, McNabb was hit in the face during a match in September 2022 when a trans girl on the opposing team sent the ball her way. The impact left her with brain damage and paralysis on the right side, effectively ending her chances to have a career in the sport.

The 19-year-old from North Carolina thus spent the last couple of years campaigning to prevent trans athletes from competing in women's sports. She has become a favorite among conservatives, with Trump even inviting her to the White House when he signed the 'No Men in Women's Sports' executive order in February.

Donald Trump mentions Payton McNabb in address to Congress

During his speech, Donald Trump brought up the subject of trans athletes participating in women's sports and portrayed Payton McNabb as a victim of progressive inclusionary policies.

"Three years ago, Payton McNabb was an all-star high school athlete, one of the best, preparing for a future in college sports," he said. "But when her girls volleyball match was invaded by a male, he smashed the ball so hard in Payton's face, causing traumatic brain injury. Partially paralyzing her right side and ending her athletic career," he added.

"It was a shot like she has never seen before, she has never seen anything like it. Payton is here tonight in the gallery and Payton from now on, schools will kick men of the girls team or they will lose all federal funding," he continued, referring to his executive order.

As McNabb stood and applauded that 78-year-old commander in chief, Trump added, "If you really want to see numbers, just take a look at what happened in the women's boxing, weightlifting, track and field, swimming or cycling, where a male recently finished a long-distance race five hours and 14 minutes ahead of a woman, for a new record. Broke the record by five hours. It is demeaning for women, it is very bad for our country and we are not going to put up with it any longer."

The claim remains unfounded, but Trump may have greatly exaggerated trans cyclist Austin Killips winning a race in North Carolina by five minutes in 2023.

In a clip later shared by the White House, McNabb thanked the Trump administration saying that her "hard work" to protect biological women in sports "paid off because we finally have an administration that was willing to stand up and hear us and choose to take on this issue for as big as it is, and really championing women and saying enough is enough."

"I'm extremely thankful and honored to be a part of it, and I'm so thankful for President Trump," she added.

Conservatives cheer Payton McNabb

MAGA supporters on the social media platform X hailed Payton McNabb for her campaign against trans athletes participating in women's sports. The following tweets demonstrate their takes.

"Payton McNabb is living proof that ignoring biology in sports isn’t just unfair—it’s dangerous. Women’s sports should be for women," wrote a user.

"Proud of you, Payton, for making your voice heard. Praying for you!" shared another.

"Payton getting some justice tonight and hopefully a change for the future of women’s sports," posted a third.

"Payton, I stand behind you. No men in sports!!" echoed another.

However, some trolled McNabb for unfairly blaming the trans athlete for her failure, with one stating, "Perhaps Payton Mcnabb just wasn’t very good at volleyball."

"Poor Payton McNabb….I guess you couldn’t cut it as a volleyball player so you had to go cry about it," mocked another with a gif.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.