Walz post calling SCOTUS girls' sports ruling 'cruel' backfires online as critics reveal what's even crueler
Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz faced backlash from conservatives on social media after denouncing Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes in women’s sports by calling it "cruel."
"As the Supreme Court says states can be cruel to trans kids, my message is clear: Here in Minnesota, we stand with and value our trans neighbors and youth," Walz posted on X as the Supreme Court was ruling in favor of West Virginia and Idaho against trans athletes who sued to gain access to girls' sports.
Walz’s comment was immediately blasted on social media by conservatives, many of whom are from Minnesota.
"What’s cruel is making a teenage girl, already uncomfortable in her own skin, change in a locker room next to a naked boy," Minnesota Republican state Sen. Julia Coleman posted on X. "What’s cruel is letting our girls get the s--- kicked out of them by biological males on the field and lose out on scholarships and more chances to compete. What’s cruel is putting your base above female safety and opportunities."
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"Once again you disregard the laws of America," retired Minnesota State Patrol Lt. John Nagel, running for Congress as Republican in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, posted on X. "You don't support women's rights. You don't stand for anything. You are the face of everything that is wrong with the Democratic party."
"Which Minnesota girl deserves to lose her spot on a team to a male athlete?" True North Legal attorney Renee Carlson posted on X.
"Tim Walz calls it ‘cruel’ that the Supreme Court ruled to protect young girls and keep men out of their sports," a Republican National Committee account posted on X. "What’s actually ‘cruel’ is advocating for the gender mutilation of children and letting men in their locker rooms you sicko."
"True cruelty to these children is perpetuating the LIE that they can be a different gender," Minnesota Republican state Sen. Michael Holmstrom posted on X. "The consequence of which is the destruction of lives -- and the victimization of girls across the state. The DFL has lost reality."
"Worst Governor in America," Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X. "Thankfully we have exposed him and he’ll be headed to retirement soon. Good riddance, Tim."
Fox News Digital reached out to Walz’s office for comment.
Walz later in the day explained that his state’s position on girls in boys sports won’t change as a result of the ruling, Fox 9 Minneapolis reported.
"The Supreme Court has allowed states to be as cruel as they want to be to transgender people," Walz told reporters. "They’ve also allowed states like Minnesota to be as kind and welcoming as they can, so I kind of view this as a mixed bag."
"We’re going to view it as a positive considering what could have been done. In Minnesota, we can continue to treat our transgender athletes and youth with dignity and humanity and respect. We’ll continue to do that, nothing will change there. Anything that gets kids involved, I want them to be involved. This idea of folks who have never been to any youth event are hell-bent on making sure some kid doesn’t participate in bowling is ludicrous. I think Minnesotans find there’s a lot of other things to worry about than three little kids wanting to play sports somewhere."
In the highly anticipated rulings in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, the high court upheld state laws requiring student-athletes to compete on sports teams that correspond with their biological sex at birth rather than their gender identity.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3.
Now, more than half of the states in the U.S. are empowered to enforce the protection of women's sports without fear of a legal challenge.
However, there are still 23 states, including California, New York and Massachusetts, that don't have any such laws, and some of those have laws to protect trans athletes in girls' sports.
Fox News Digital’s Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.