Trump launches rant against trans athletes while addressing children in Oval Office

The president also signed the revival of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award
President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)


WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump railed against transgender athletes as he addressed a group of children during a White House ceremony on Tuesday, May 5.

The students who said they played sports such as football, volleyball, hockey, and golf were invited to the White House on Tuesday, May 5, for an event where the president signed the revival of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.

The program was phased out under former President Barack Obama in favor of a program focused on individual and long-term health.

President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

“Barack Hussein Obama. Have you heard of him?” Trump asked those gathered around the Oval Office’s Resolute Desk, adding, “We had the Obama administration, which phased out this wonderful tradition of physical fitness. Thank you, Barack, very much, great job.”

He signed an executive order last summer to revive the Presidential Fitness Test, a program originally introduced in the 1950s.

Trump rails against trans athlete

After delivering a sweeping address that veered into subjects like the bombing of Iran, claims of rigged elections, and the killing of protesters, the President eventually shifted his focus back to the children gathered around his desk, asking them about the sports they play.

U.S. President Donald Trump joins young athletes exercising following a proclamation signing in the Oval Office of the White House on May 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump signed a presidential memorandum restoring the Presidential Fitness Test Award, which was reinstated by executive order in July 2025 and reintroduces a performance-based benchmark in physical education. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump joins young athletes exercising following a proclamation signing in the Oval Office of the White House (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

One of the boys then told him he had planned to take up powerlifting, to which Trump replied, "Oh, wow! That's awesome," before asking him whether he would ever compete against women in the sport.

"They had a man powerlifter. He decided to go the opposite direction," Trump began, launching into a familiar anecdote he often repeats at events—about an unnamed transgender woman who, he claimed, broke a weightlifting record.

 "Took a record. Stood for 18 years. He beat it by 119 pounds. He was a failed powerlifter. He went on the other side and he decided that he wanted to go into women's sports. He broke the record by 118 pounds,” he continued.

President Donald Trump walks back toward the Oval Office after a fitness event on the south lawn of the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump walks back toward the Oval Office after a fitness event on the south lawn of the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

"Do you think that's fair?" he asked. The child said no. Trump nodded approvingly. "I don't think we have to worry about you."

Trump pokes fun at little girl's volleyball dream

The President then went to ask an unidentified youngster what she played. 'I play volleyball, and in the summer, I'm trying to get into soccer,' the young lady told the smiling Trump.

He then questioned her physical ability to play volleyball. 'Wow,' he began, 'and with your height, do you smash the ball, the volleyball?'

President Donald Trump speaks with children before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump speaks with children before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The girl offered a polite “no” in response. “Can you jump high?” Trump asked. “Not very,” she responded.

After hearing her response, he added, “Soccer might be better. I think you’d be great at it. Good luck!”

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