JD Vance backs ‘courageous’ Sophie Cunningham amid trans athlete row
US Vice President JD Vance praises Sophie Cunningham. (Mandel Ngan/Soobum Im/Getty)
US Vice President JD Vance has become the latest high-profile public figure to weigh in on WNBA star Sophie Cunningham’s comments about trans athletes.
Unsurprisingly, Trump’s right-hand man has backed Cunningham – nicknamed “MAGA Barbie” – and told her to “keep going.”
29-year-old Indiana Fever guard Cunningham has repeatedly asserted her intention to “protect women’s sports” amid the continued effort to block trans women and girls from female sports teams.
In a recent ESPN profile, Cunningham said: “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
In a press conference following the interview, she then said: “I think it’s kind of common sense. I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. And so I’ll stand on what I said, and I’ll always believe that.”
On Wednesday (5 July), speaking with Fox News, Vance encouraged Cunningham to continue being vocal about her beliefs, despite the criticism.
“Sometimes when you’re courageous in this country, some of the worst people in the world will try to attack you. What I would tell Sophie and anybody else is, ‘Keep speaking your mind. You actually are inspiring a dozen people for every person that criticises you,’” Vance said.
“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. I would tell Sophie, ‘Keep going.’”
‘You actually are inspiring a dozen people for every person that criticises you.’
Though Vance is one of several backing Cunningham’s recent statements, the basketball player has also received a lot of pushback.
The response to Cunningham has been mixed amongst basketball fans. There have been both supporters and protesters at the Indiana Fever’s games on the road, including stops in Portland and Minnesota.
Additionally, Caitlin Clark, Cunningham’s Indiana Fever teammate, refused to back Cunningham’s recent statements and deflected questioning.
“I think for us, it’s not really a discussion we have in our locker room,” Clark said. “I think it’s for leagues and governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions.”
Furthermore, the co-owner of the Seattle Storm team, Celeste Keaton, was suspended after an altercation with Sophie Cunningham fans.
Keaton is said to have approached two teens ahead of Seattle Storm’s game against the Indiana Fever on Tuesday (28 July), as reported by The Athletic.
The fans were said to be carrying signs supporting Cunningham. Pictures show the signs reading “Thank you, Sophie for speaking up for girls!”. They were also wearing T-shirts depicting the XX and XY chromosomes. Journalist Brandi Kruse reported that Keaton told the girls they were “f****** insane”. Keaton is now banned from attending the team’s next five home games.
