President Trump said on Tuesday that California will face large-scale fines after transgender athlete AB Hernandez won two events at a girls’ state high school track championship. Hernandez, who attends Jurupa Valley High School, secured first place in the high jump and triple jump during the May 31 competition in Clovis. Trump had previously warned the state not to allow biological males to compete against females in official school sports.

He posted his reaction on Truth Social where he expressed frustration with California leaders. 

“As Governor Gavin Newscum fully understands, large scale fines will be imposed!!!” Trump wrote in his post.

He blamed Governor Gavin Newsom directly for failing to act on earlier federal warnings. The president accused the state of violating his February executive order that aims to protect women’s sports from what he called unfair competition.

State Sports Rules Adjusted After Presidential Pressure

Following the event and federal pressure, the California Interscholastic Federation changed its rules to allow biological female athletes who lost qualifying spots to trans competitors to advance. The organization also awarded first-place medals to the top biological female athletes, creating a shared podium moment with Hernandez and other competitors.

Hernandez cleared 5 feet 7 inches in the high jump and 42 feet 2 inches in the triple jump. The second-place athletes were several inches behind in both events. While the CIF said the changes aimed to be fair, the situation created controversy among parents and athletes across the state.