In recent weeks, Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Indiana Fever, has generated significant conversation following her public opposition to transgender women participating in female athletic divisions—a stance she has consistently defended. Now, the Vice President of the United States has weighed in on the ongoing debate.
During a new interview, Vice President JD Vance shared his perspective on Cunningham’s position regarding transgender athletes, praising her bravery and asserting that her efforts are helping to “save America.”
Cunningham’s Statements
While speaking with ESPN for a feature profile, Cunningham was questioned about her political stances, particularly concerning the “MAGA Barbie” label she has been given lately. Responding to the inquiry, the Fever guard detailed her perspective on transgender athletes in female competitions.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” she explained to ESPN. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
When later questioned about her remarks, Cunningham defended her perspective, describing it as “common sense.”
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham stated earlier in the week. “And 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. I stand on what I said.”
The Fever guard further reinforced her stance on X (formerly Twitter) while addressing a recent event involving two teenage girls who alleged they were harassed verbally by a co-owner of the Seattle Storm, who subsequently faced a suspension.
“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind,” Cunningham posted on X. “Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from me soon yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner.”
Vance Encourages Her to ‘Keep Speaking Your Mind’
In a Wednesday appearance on Fox News with host Laura Ingraham, Vance weighed in on Cunningham’s remarks, praising her for her “courage.”
“Look, 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 is to keep speaking your mind. You actually are inspiring a dozen people for every person that criticizes you,” Vance expressed to Ingraham.
“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,” Vance added.
Vance also noted that Cunningham’s readiness to express her opinions openly could motivate others to follow suit.
“The thing about courage is it’s contagious. When you see one person – even if they have the mob come after them – one person speak their mind in a courageous and honest way, it inspires a lot of people to do the same. So I would tell Sophie to keep going,” Vance commented.
Vance’s Comments Fuel Public Backlash
Vance’s remarks rapidly circulated online, drawing widespread criticism for multiple reasons. Some users pointed out the statistically tiny population of transgender athletes, while others accused him of hypocrisy, recalling past conservative outrage directed at Colin Kaepernick for expressing political views.
“I can’t believe this issue occupies their minds this much,” one user shared in an X post.
“Laser-focused on the problem of trans-athletes in professional sports, in which there are exactly zero of,” another individual commented.
“Exactly the same thing they said about Colin Kaepernick! Very consistent! No hypocrisy at all!” another person noted.
“This is the dumbest thing republicans have done to date. There are literally no transgender [people] in professional sports. It’s red meat for the stupid base while they continue to gut Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare, Trump slurring words and falling asleep and stealing,” an online commenter wrote.
“Fake outrage. NCAA level: Out of over 510,000 athletes, leadership notes fewer than 10 known transgender student-athletes. Global/Olympic level: Openly transgender athletes make up roughly 0.001% or less of elite international rosters,” another social media user posted.
“‘Worst people in the world try to’ silence you, JD says, defending a player who got booed over trans athletes in women’s sports. Meanwhile his own administration deports people with valid work permits and pardons cop-beaters. Courage is selective when it’s this convenient,” someone else commented.
“Framing one side of a genuinely contested policy debate as ‘courage’ while everyone on the other side is implicitly cast as afraid to speak up is doing a lot of rhetorical work before anyone’s even discussed the actual argument,” another person added.
While President Donald Trump has yet to issue a personal statement on the matter, a spokesperson indicated that he holds “strong feelings” regarding the topic.
This article, focusing on the intense reactions following JD Vance’s defense of Sophie Cunningham, originally appeared on The Comeback.
