Former President Joe Biden faced criticism on Saturday after posting a message on social media to commemorate International Women’s Day, with many pointing out his administration’s policies that impacted women’s sports.
“Like so many of you, I’m celebrating the incredible women in my life today. International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the achievements of women and girls everywhere and recommit our efforts to advance dignity, opportunity, and equality for all. When women and girls succeed, communities, economies, and democracies succeed,” Biden wrote on X.
While Biden’s post praised women’s contributions and called for equality, critics quickly highlighted his policies that allowed biological males to compete in women’s sports. One major point of contention was Biden’s executive order permitting transgender athletes in female competitions and his administration’s efforts to modify Title IX protections, which traditionally safeguarded women’s sports.
Texas Congressman Brandon Gill responded by sharing a vote tally showing that 203 House Democrats opposed a bill that aimed to protect women’s sports by banning biological males from competing.
The sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics, which advocates for female athletes, also called out Biden, stating, “You unequivocally eroded the rights of all women. Please.”
The issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports proved to be politically damaging for Democrats during the 2024 election. A national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee found that 70 percent of moderate voters considered “Donald Trump’s opposition to transgender boys and men playing girls’ and women’s sports” to be an important issue, Fox News reported.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. The order has been met with resistance from Democrat-led states, some of which have vowed not to comply. Trump has also officially declared March 2025 as Women’s History Month.