Former collegiate female UPenn Swimmer Paula Scanlan reacted to the news that trans-identifying male swimmer Lia Thomas would be stripped of all titles he earned while competing in the women’s sport, and the university has agreed to apologize for allowing him to compete as a female.
Speaking from a press event on Tuesday, Scanlan reacted to the news that her former school, the University of Pennsylvania, has agreed to comply with President Donald Trump’s Department of Education resolution agreement about Title IX and correct its violations after allowing a male to compete in women’s sports, specifically Thomas.
“Wow, that’s the first thing I have to say about this,” Scanlan said. “How many years of progress this is just fixing … but more than anything, I am grateful for this administration for taking this so seriously. I have quite literally gotten exactly what I voted for.”
.@PaulaYScanlan reacts to news that her university, UPenn, has been forced to protect women’s spaces: “This is, quite literally, what I voted for!” pic.twitter.com/hoUJABdjOv
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) July 1, 2025
The comments drew huge applause from those in attendance. Later, the college female swimmer got emotional talking about what this means to her and the next generation of women athletes.
“And this is exactly why we fought so hard for this,” Scanlan said. “And this win is exactly what I voted for. “
Former UPenn swimmer @PaulaYScanlan becomes emotional as she reacts to news that her university will finally protect women’s sports — after forcing her to share a locker room/undress in front of a man (Lia/Will Thomas).
“This is exactly why we fought so hard.” pic.twitter.com/RyEVZDVtB6
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) July 1, 2025
Riley Gaines, outspoken female sports advocate and former University of Kentucky swimmer who also had to compete against Thomas, reacted to the great news and said, “From day one, President Trump and [Department of Education] Secretary McMahon vowed to protect women and girls, and today’s agreement with UPenn is a historic display of that promise being fulfilled.”
“This Administration does not just pay lip service to women’s equality: it vigorously insists on that equality being upheld,” she added. “It is my hope that today demonstrates to educational institutions that they will no longer be allowed to trample upon women’s civil rights, and renews hope in every female athlete that their country’s highest leadership will not relent until they have the dignity, safety, and fairness they deserve.”
During the same event, McMahon announced the victory against UPenn, calling it truly a turning point in the battle to defend women’s rights in sports from radical gender ideology.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, UPenn has agreed both to apologize for its past Title IX violations and to ensure that women’s sports are protected at the University for future generations of female athletes,” McMahon said in a press release. “Today is a great victory for women and girls not only at the University of Pennsylvania but all across our nation.”
The social media site X was full of reactions as well, with many people celebrating a possible end to the insanity.
OutKick’s Clay Travis wrote, “Congrats @PaulaYScanlan & @Riley_Gaines_ for speaking out on this insanity when so many stayed silent. And props to @JoeKinseyexp for writing the first @Outkick story on this issue when every other sports media company in America was scared to speak out against this insanity.”
Charlie Kirk said,” The University of Pennsylvania has submitted to the Trump Administration, signing an agreement with the Dept. of Education’s Office of Civil Rights that will keep men out of women’s sports, revoke Lia Thomas’s illegitimate records and titles, and send a letter of apology to every female swimmer who was unjustly shoved aside by his presence. Nobody wants to be the next Harvard!”
Babylon Bee’s Seth Dillon wrote, “Just a couple of years ago, no one would have believed this would ever happen. But what was lost and broken is now being restored. Thanks to President Trump, Riley Gaines, Paula Scanlan, and so many others who’ve stood up and fought back.”
RedState reported on the Trump administration’s victory over UPenn and the details of what the University had agreed to.
NEWS: The Trump admin has struck a deal with UPenn, forcing the school to strip Lia Thomas of his records, titles and other recognitions won while competing on the women’s sports team. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/1FZIeBZWnI
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) July 1, 2025
READ MORE: Trump Admin Scores Huge Victory Over UPenn, ‘Transgender’ Swimmer Lia Thomas Hardest Hit
As Bonchie reported:
Thomas became the center of controversy in 2022 when it was revealed that UPenn bullied members of the women’s swimming team into not objecting to the biological male competing. That included threatening those who didn’t want Thomas to be allowed in the women’s locker room. He would later go on to smash records at that year’s NCAA championship, an outcome that would lead to the rise of Riley Gaines as a top activist opposing “transgender” athletes in women’s sports.
Editor’s Note: President Trump is leading America into the “Golden Age” as Democrats try desperately to stop it.
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