Biden urges Americans to watch more women's sports: 'Not just during championships'

WASHINGTON (TND) — President Joe Biden on Friday urged more Americans to watch women’s sports.

His comments follow the highly anticipated home debut of first overall WNBA draft pick Caitlin Clark on Thursday. Over 13,000 people attended that game, a huge increase from the 2023 regular season average of 4,000.

As a nation, we need to support women’s sports by showing up in person and watching on TV – with more sponsorships and programming,” Biden said. “Not just during championships. But all year round. Let's grow women’s sports and continue inspiring the nation.”

The remark appeared to aggravate some who disagree with the president’s controversial stance on transgender athletes. Biden’s Department of Education in April rewrote the 1972 federal civil rights law Title IX, most known for ensuring equal treatment in women's sports. The new regulations broaden Title IX to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in all educational institutions receiving federal funding.

“Can we start with keeping biological men out of women's sports as a way to support women, or no?” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., asked.

Joe Biden is in fact kneecapping women’s sports and women’s safety with his radical Title IX transgender re-write,” Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, said. “He is forcing men into women’s locker rooms. He is forcing men to compete in women’s sports. Joe telling you to support women’s sports is gaslighting at its finest.”

“The WORST, most REGRESSIVE, president in history, for women’s sports is the one that destroyed Title IX,” transgender activist and former Olympic athlete Caitlyn Jenner said. “You gutted women’s sports @POTUS.”

Biden has received backlash for such stances before. The president in April took substantial heat after advocating for “fair” salaries in women’s sports.

“Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all,” Biden wrote. “But right now we're seeing that even if you're the best, women are not paid their fair share. It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.”

The post sparked a firestorm of criticism, as several major political figures rebuked Biden for his support of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

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