Trump Calls Out AB Hernandez in Truth Social Post, Threatens Funding Over Transgender Athlete Participation

JURUPA VALLEY – A local high school track star is at the center of a national controversy after President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, calling on California authorities to stop AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete, from competing in the CIF State Track and Field Championships.

Hernandez, a junior at Jurupa Valley High School, is the state’s top-ranked triple jumper and second in the long jump. Despite a season full of wins, including titles at the Mt. SAC Relays and CIF Southern Section, Hernandez’s participation has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and national figures alike.

In his post, Trump accused California of “illegally allowing ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS’” and threatened to withhold federal funding from the state if Hernandez is allowed to compete. “This is not fair, and totally demeaning to women and girls,” Trump wrote.

Hernandez remains focused. “I just relax and do what I can do,” she said after qualifying for state at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet. Her mother, Nereyda, praised her resilience, saying, “I couldn’t be any prouder.”

The backlash includes vocal opposition from Chino Valley Unified School Board President Sonja Shaw and Assemblymember Kate Sanchez, who both argue that transgender participation undermines fairness in girls’ sports. Sanchez’s proposed bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports failed in committee earlier this year.

Despite the controversy, Hernandez is set to compete in Clovis this weekend, representing her school and standing at the center of a national debate on inclusion and fairness in high school athletics.

The CIF State Track and Field Championships are scheduled to take place at Buchanan High School in Clovis on May 30-31

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