Fencer’s Victory: “I’m So Grateful for That Executive Order”
Women’s fencer Stephanie Turner believed she was “ruining her life” when she chose to kneel in protest of a transgender competitor at a USA Fencing event in late March. Four months later, she’s celebrating a major victory as Team USA officially complies with President Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order.
Historic Policy Change Sparks Relief
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) updated its policies Tuesday, marking a significant shift in how transgender athlete participation will be handled. For Turner, this moment represents vindication after months of controversy and personal turmoil.
“This has caused so much of a hindrance to my life personally, and it’s caused me so much emotional turmoil that I’m just so glad this is over,” Turner told Fox News Digital.
From Democrat to Trump Supporter
Turner’s journey has been as much political as it has been athletic. The Maryland native reveals that Trump was the first Republican she ever voted for, citing women’s sports protection as a primary reason for her political shift.
“I just have to say thank you [to Trump]. I voted for him, and this was a huge reason why I voted for him,” Turner explained, praising the efficiency of the executive order’s impact.
The Viral Protest That Changed Everything
Turner’s career-defining moment came when she knelt before transgender opponent Redmond Sullivan at the Cherry Blossom Open, telling her competitor: “I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.”
The decision resulted in her disqualification and a black card, but it also ignited a national conversation about fairness in women’s sports that ultimately reached Congress.
Calls for Stronger Enforcement
Despite the policy victory, Turner and her advocacy group, the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), are pushing for mandatory sex screening protocols. Turner specifically advocates for karyotyping, a chromosomal testing method.
“You can’t rely on documentation anymore. You can’t rely on drivers license(s), you can’t rely on birth certificates because those can all be edited,” Turner argued.
Congressional Testimony and Legal Battles
Turner’s protest led to a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Subcommittee hearing titled “Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” where she testified against USA Fencing leadership. The controversy has since spawned internal lawsuits within USA Fencing’s board of directors.
A Message of Policy, Not Personal Animosity
Reflecting on her opponent, Turner emphasized that her stance was about policy, not personal hatred: “This was never about him and me. This was really about the issue and the policy at hand.”
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What This Means for Women’s Sports
The USOPC’s policy change represents a watershed moment for women’s athletics in America, potentially setting a precedent for other sporting organizations worldwide. Turner’s willingness to sacrifice her career for her principles has contributed to a fundamental shift in how transgender athlete participation is approached at the highest levels of competition.
As Turner puts it, this victory extends far beyond her personal situation: it’s about ensuring fair competition for women and girls across all levels of sport.
This developing story continues to shape the future of women’s sports policy in America.