Critics slam Newsom for using WWE skit in Title IX response, call it tone-deaf to women

Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, June 26th 2025 at 11:05 GMT by wjla
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It only took a few hours for California Governor Gavin Newsom to respond to his state's alleged Title IX violations.

The article from WJLA, titled "Critics slam Gavin Newsom for using WWE skit in Title IX response, call it 'tone deaf'", discusses the controversy surrounding California Governor Gavin Newsom's response to a letter from former NCAA swimmers Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan. The swimmers had written to Newsom, urging him to protect women's sports from what they described as unfair competition from transgender athletes. In his response, Newsom included a link to a WWE skit featuring wrestler Kurt Angle, which critics found to be dismissive and tone-deaf.

The article begins by outlining the context of the controversy, explaining that Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities, including sports. The law has been a point of contention in recent years, as some argue that allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports undermines the fairness and integrity of the competitions.

Gaines and Scanlan, both former NCAA swimmers, wrote to Newsom expressing their concerns about the impact of transgender athletes on women's sports. They cited their own experiences competing against Lia Thomas, a transgender woman who swam for the University of Pennsylvania. The swimmers argued that allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports disadvantages biological females and undermines the purpose of Title IX.

In response to their letter, Newsom sent a brief reply that included a link to a WWE skit featuring Kurt Angle. The skit, which aired in 2004, shows Angle mocking the idea of women's sports and suggesting that women should be grateful for the opportunity to compete against men. Critics found Newsom's inclusion of this skit to be highly inappropriate and dismissive of the swimmers' concerns.

The article quotes several critics who slammed Newsom's response as "tone deaf" and "disrespectful." They argued that using a WWE skit to address a serious issue like the future of women's sports was not only unprofessional but also showed a lack of understanding and empathy for the swimmers' experiences. Some critics suggested that Newsom's response was indicative of a broader problem in the Democratic Party, where they believe the rights of transgender individuals are being prioritized over the rights of biological women.

The article also includes reactions from supporters of Newsom, who defended his response as a way of highlighting the absurdity of the swimmers' arguments. They argued that the WWE skit was meant to show that the idea of women's sports being threatened by transgender athletes is a non-issue and that the real focus should be on promoting inclusivity and equality in sports.

However, the majority of the article focuses on the negative reactions to Newsom's response and the broader implications of the controversy. It discusses how the issue of transgender athletes in women's sports has become a highly divisive and politicized topic, with strong opinions on both sides. The article notes that several states have passed laws banning transgender athletes from competing in sports that align with their gender identity, while others have implemented policies that allow for their inclusion.

The article also touches on the personal stories of Gaines and Scanlan, who have become prominent voices in the debate over transgender athletes in women's sports. It describes how both swimmers felt uncomfortable and disadvantaged when competing against Lia Thomas and how they believe that their experiences are indicative of a larger problem that needs to be addressed.

Throughout the article, the author maintains a neutral tone, presenting the facts of the controversy and quoting various sources without taking a definitive stance on the issue. The article concludes by noting that the debate over transgender athletes in women's sports is likely to continue, with strong opinions on both sides and no easy solutions in sight.

In summary, the article from WJLA discusses the controversy surrounding California Governor Gavin Newsom's response to a letter from former NCAA swimmers Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan, who urged him to protect women's sports from transgender athletes. Newsom's inclusion of a WWE skit in his response was widely criticized as tone-deaf and dismissive, with many arguing that it showed a lack of understanding and empathy for the swimmers' concerns. The article explores the broader implications of the controversy and the ongoing debate over transgender athletes in women's sports, presenting a balanced view of the issue while highlighting the strong opinions on both sides.

Read the Full wjla Article at:
[ https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/critics-slam-gavin-newsom-for-using-wwe-skit-title-ix-response-call-it-tone-deaf-women-california-girls-sports ]

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Critics slam Newsom for using WWE skit in Title IX response, call it tone-deaf to women