Podcast Summary: The Five – "UPenn To Ban Trans Athletes From Women's Sports"
Introduction
In the July 2, 2025 episode of The Five hosted by FOX News Radio, the panel delves into the controversial decision by the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) to ban transgender women from participating in women's sports. This move aligns with a mandate from President Trump and includes the revocation of titles from trans swimmer Lia Thomas. The discussion explores the implications of this decision on women's sports, the response from affected athletes, and broader societal and political ramifications.
Background
The episode opens with Emily Compagno introducing a significant development in collegiate sports: UPenn's agreement to President Trump's mandate banning transgender women from female sports teams. Additionally, the Ivy League's decision to revoke Lia Thomas's titles marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over transgender athletes' participation in women's sports.
Reactions from Affected Athletes
Former teammates Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlon express their relief and vindication regarding UPenn's decision:
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Riley Gaines [01:43]: "I feel vindicated. I feel like pigs are flying. I feel like hell has frozen over. So it is a fantastic day, of course, for sanity, for common sense..."
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Riley Gaines [02:04]: "Getting the records corrected."
These sentiments underscore the athletes' perspective that Lia Thomas's participation had previously displaced their opportunities in women's sports.
Panel Discussion
The hosts engage in a robust discussion, analyzing the decision's impact and its alignment with broader biological and moral considerations.
- Greg Gutfeld [02:25]: "It was necessary. I mean, this is not about women's sports alone. It's about truth, biology, morality..."
Gutfeld emphasizes the importance of adhering to biological definitions and criticizes what he perceives as a societal "mob" pushing a "twisted ideology." He highlights various entities and individuals he believes have contributed negatively to the situation, including media outlets, the Biden White House, and certain celebrities.
- Dana Perino [08:28]: Discusses the potential for criminal accountability for institutions forcing minor women to compete against biologically male athletes, citing existing criminal codes related to such actions.
Legal and Institutional Implications
The conversation extends to the legal framework surrounding this decision:
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Dana Perino [07:14]: References the NCAA's recent legal challenges and suggests that the Trump administration's actions may be leveraged to influence other universities similarly.
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Lawrence Jones [08:52]: Advocates for criminal lawsuits against schools and authorities that enforced the participation of trans athletes against the wishes of female athletes.
Political Ramifications
The hosts also touch upon the political landscape, contrasting Republican support for President Trump's actions with Democratic opposition:
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Lawrence Jones [18:08]: Critiques the Democratic Party's lack of effective response and predicts electoral repercussions due to their handling of the issue.
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Joey Jones [05:04]: Highlights the financial and opportunity losses faced by female athletes due to Lia Thomas's participation, emphasizing the broader impact on women's sports.
Notable Quotes
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Greg Gutfeld [04:21]: "It was a humiliation fetish. This is why the Dems lost. They cowered before a fetish that caused irreparable harm."
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Dana Perino [08:28]: "I hope every single girl that was forced to share a locker room with a fully intact 6 foot 4 man sues the hell out of every school and every authority that made them do that when they were asking not to."
These quotes exemplify the panel's strong stance against the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports, framing it as a matter of fairness and safety for female athletes.
Conclusion
The episode of The Five presents a critical view of UPenn's decision to ban transgender women from women's sports, framing it as a victory for fairness, biology, and the protection of female athletes' opportunities. The hosts advocate for broader legal actions and institutional changes to prevent similar situations in other universities. The discussion also highlights the political tensions surrounding transgender rights in sports, reflecting ongoing national debates on the subject.
Additional Content
While the primary focus remains on the UPenn decision, the episode also briefly touches upon other news topics, including the bail hearing of Sean "Diddy" Combs and comments on political maneuvers related to President Trump's legislative agenda. However, these segments are secondary to the main discussion on transgender athletes in women's sports.
Note: The summary captures the key points and discussions from the podcast episode based on the provided transcript. It includes notable quotes with speaker attribution and timestamps as requested.