In a significant revelation from CNN’s data analysis, senior political analyst Harry Enten has highlighted a growing consensus among Americans regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports. The latest polling data shows an overwhelming 79% of Americans oppose allowing transgender female athletes to compete in women’s sports, with only 18% supporting their participation.
The trend has shown a marked increase in opposition over recent years. Enten’s analysis reveals that opposition has grown substantially from 62% in 2021 to the current 79% in 2025, representing a 17-point increase in just four years.
What makes these findings particularly noteworthy is the rare bipartisan agreement on the issue. The opposition spans across political affiliations, with 67% of Democrats, 64% of independents, and 94% of Republicans opposing transgender female athletes’ participation in women’s sports.
“You rarely get 79 percent of the country to agree on anything,” Enten noted during his analysis. “You rarely get 67 percent of Democrats and 94 percent of Republicans to agree on anything. But they do on this particular issue.”
Trans MMA star Alana McLaughlin was dismayed to see CNN not supporting the cause.
The strength of opposition is particularly pronounced among Republicans, with 84% strongly supporting a ban on transgender female athletes in women’s sports. This comes as President Donald Trump signed an executive order giving federal agencies authority to ensure entities receiving federal funding comply with Title IX, interpreting “sex” as the gender assigned at birth.
The order specifically authorizes the Education Department to penalize schools that allow transgender athletes to compete, potentially making them ineligible for federal funding. According to AP VoteCast surveys, more than half of voters believe support for transgender rights in government and society has gone too far, suggesting this issue resonates beyond traditional party lines.
The acting director of the Office for Civil Rights has indicated that enforcing these orders will be a priority, with staff being directed to align their investigations accordingly, as reported by AP sources who requested anonymity.
