Overview
- During an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, the ESPN host said biological men should not compete against girls or women and called there being no excuse for it.
- Smith cited former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas as his example, arguing that a jump from a low men’s ranking to winning in women’s events shows a problem.
- He added that he supports the LGBTQ+ community and civil rights while drawing a line on competition in female categories.
- Coverage from Fox News linked his remarks to a 2025 executive order that told federal agencies to apply Title IX by sex at birth, noting the NCAA then changed its policy.
- OutKick welcomed the clarity but argued his stance arrived late and framed it as political theater, reflecting a split in how right-leaning outlets highlight and critique his comments.