NBC News Explains On-Air Use of Supreme Court's Terms After 6-3 Transgender Sports Ruling
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 1
NBC News Explains On-Air Use of Supreme Court's Terms After 6-3 Transgender Sports Ruling
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 1
Summary
Craig Melvin told NBC viewers the network was using “biological male” and “biological female” because those terms appeared in both the Supreme Court’s majority opinion and dissent.
The clarification came during coverage of the court’s June 30 ruling upholding West Virginia and Idaho bans on transgender girls and women competing on female school teams.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s 6-3 opinion said states may preserve women’s and girls’ sports for biological females, while the court also unanimously said such bans do not violate Title IX.
Kelly O’Donnell described the affected athlete pool as very small, while NBC’s explanation drew online mockery and ABC framed the ruling as a blow to the transgender community.
The decision strengthens laws already passed in 27 states and aligns with Donald Trump’s 2025 order threatening funding cuts for schools that allow transgender athletes on female teams.