Sen. JD Vance defended Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham after she publicly questioned transgender participation in women’s sports, calling her comments "courageous." Cunningham says she wants to "protect young girls" in locker rooms and denies that she hates transgender people. The remarks drew criticism from WNBA peers and praise from conservative figures, but Cunningham says she wants to shift attention back to basketball.
Sen. JD Vance Backs Sophie Cunningham: 'Keep Speaking Your Mind' in Transgender Sports Debate
Vance told Cunningham to keep being
Senator JD Vance publicly defended Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham after she voiced concerns about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, urging the player to remain "courageous" despite criticism.
Vance’s Remarks:
Cunningham has been defended by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. / Wendell Cruz / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
"Look, sometimes when you're courageous in this country, some of the worst people in the world will try to attack you," Vance, 41, told Fox News host Laura Ingraham. "What I would tell Sophie and anybody is to keep speaking your mind. You actually are inspiring a dozen people for every person that criticizes you."
"We cannot take our country back—we cannot save the United States of America—unless you have people of courage who are speaking their mind. The thing about courage is it's contagious... So I would tell Sophie to keep going."
Context and Response
Cunningham, 29, made the remarks in an ESPN interview published last month, saying she wants to "protect young girls in a locker room" and that female athletes should not have to compete against "biological men." Her comments prompted criticism from other WNBA players and colleagues, while conservative commentators and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised her candor.
During college, Cunningham earned the nickname "MAGA Barbie" because of her social media activity, according to Complex; she has said she considers herself "very much in the middle" politically.
Some others in the WNBA took issue with Cunningham's comments about transgender athletes. / Matt Blewett / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Cunningham’s Own Statement
In the ESPN interview, Cunningham said she received feedback accusing her of hating transgender people: "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that.'" She described her position as motivated by a desire to "extend love" while also being honest about protecting girls in locker rooms and in sport.
She told reporters this week that she does not "dislike anyone," and reiterated, "I'm also there to love biological women, and I think that there are rights that need to be protected."
Where She Stands Now
After weeks of attention, Cunningham said she wants to return the focus to basketball. "For me, I want to get back to basketball. It's always been about basketball," she told reporters at a recent shootaround, noting the ESPN interview occurred in February and asking that attention remain on the sport.
Bottom Line: The exchange highlights the intersection of sports, gender policy and politics: a player’s comments about transgender participation drew both criticism and political support, and a U.S. senator publicly encouraged her to continue speaking out.
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