First Lady Melania Trump put a new spin on a Supreme Court ruling her husband called a "big win," declaring that she "fully supports the LGBTQIA+ community."
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled six to three on Tuesday that schools may ban transgender athletes from women's and girls' sports. President Donald Trump cheered.
"BIG WIN: The United States Supreme Court just RULED AGAINST MEN PLAYING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS. Wow! That takes that ridiculous situation off the table!!!" Donald Trump posted on Truth Social.
Hours later, the first lady made her own surprise statement on social media.
"As many of you may know, I fully support the LGBTQIA+ community. But we must also ensure that our female athletes are protected and respected," she wrote on X, quoting her book MELANIA at page 156.
"America, we can support the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and also protect opportunities for female athletes. Respect everyone and keep girls' sports fair," she continued. "Both ideals are essential."
The case, West Virginia v. B.P.J., asked whether states could limit women's sports to biological females under Title IX — the federal law banning sex discrimination in school sports — and the Constitution. The conservative court said yes.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, writing that the majority's ruling left a transgender girl unable to join her school's team "even if she would not take anyone's spot in an eventual competition."
It is not the first time Melania Trump has broken publicly with her husband.
In October 2024, her memoir revealed that she supports abortion rights, putting her at odds with Donald Trump's record on the issue.
"Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard," she said at the time.
Donald Trump was asked about his wife's abortion stance and told Fox News he had one answer.
"You have to write what you believe. I'm not going to tell you what to do."