Volleyball star Payton McNabb injured by trans opponent rips Dems for 'failing women' after Trump speech

WASHINGTON, DC: Former North Carolina volleyball star Payton McNabb, who suffered injuries from a trans opponent, ripped Democrats for "failing women" and called it an "incredible honor" to be recognized by President Donald Trump during his speech to joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4.

McNabb suffered a life-changing concussion and neck injury during a game in 2022 when a trans player spiked the ball in her head, according to the New York Post.

Payton McNabb rips Dems for 'failing women' after being honored by Trump

McNabb told the outlet that she was "overwhelmed with emotions" to have Trump highlight her story in a public way. 

The 19-year-old said, "What an incredible honor. I was just so honored to even be there as a guest of the president and first lady, that’s just unreal – such a surreal moment I’ll never forget."

Notably, McNabb still suffers cognitive issues and persistent headaches even two years after her injury, per the New York Post.

She continued, "Not only getting to be there, but him actually shouting me out and sharing my story was just amazing. It really fills me up because I’m so thankful we finally have a president that is willing to do that and take this issue for what it is."

Interestingly, the Democrats gave an unwelcoming reception to McNabb by sitting in their seats while Republicans and others in the gallery cheered.

Meanwhile, McNabb could see the Democrats, who remained seated and were reactionless, as the House chamber erupted with applause upon hearing her story, per the outlet.

McNabb said, "I think that was the best speech he’s ever given, it was so pro-American and you could really feel it on one side. The Democrats were really unprofessional and embarrassing yesterday in their actions."

She further took a jibe at the Democrats and said, "I think it was so ironic that last night all of the Democrats came together and wore pink and claimed they’re the party of women, and literally the day before none of them voted to protect women and girls."

Notably, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act – which would have enshrined Title IX protections “based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth,” was blocked by a united front of Democrats a day before Trump’s address to Congress, according to the New York Post.

McNabb added, "They really showed their hands last night. They can’t get over it – 80% of the country agrees on this and they’re willing to die on this hill. It was really disappointing seeing none of them take a stand for women, because some of them have daughters, and if they don’t they know at least one woman in their lives and voted against them. The Democratic party has failed women."

Donald Trump mentions Payton McNabb in address to Congress 

During his speech on Tuesday, Donald Trump brought up the topic of trans athletes participating in women's sports and talked about Payton McNabb as a victim of progressive inclusionary policies, according to Daily Mail.

Trump said in his speech, "Three years ago, Payton McNabb was an all-star high school athlete, one of the best, preparing for a future in college sports."

He added, "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."

The president continued, referring to his executive order, "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."

Meanwhile, McNabb stood up and applauded the 78-year-old president.

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."