In yet another rant against the existence of transgender athletes, President Donald Trump claimed that New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart would be the ‘greatest athlete in the history of women’s sports.’
Dart’s recent decision to speak at a Trump rally has been seen as potentially divisive within the Giants’ locker room – with some of his teammates expressing dismay at his choice to do so.
While Dart has addressed the issue with his team and spoke to the media about it, Trump once again brought the quarterback up during a press conference from the Oval Office.
At one point in the presser, Trump began to rant against the inclusion of athletes in women’s sports if they have medically or hormonally transitioned from male to female.
The President then decided to invoke a conversation he recently had with the rookie signal caller.
‘The quarterback Jaxson was the quarter— is the quarterback for the Giants. He’s a big, strong guy,’ Trump said.
President Trump suggested Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart would dominate women’s sports in yet another rant against transgender athletes on Thursday
Dart introduced Trump at a rally in May for a New York Republican congressman’s campaign
This caused controversy within the Giants locker room as teammates called Dart out
‘And I said, “How do you think you do in women’s sports, Jaxson?” He said, “Pretty good, sir.” He didn’t know I was joking. He was not worried. Let me put it that way.
‘He would have been the greatest athlete in the history of women’s sports. You got to see the size of this guy, like a male model, and he’s going to be a great quarterback.’
Trump made the ban on trans athletes a central tenet of his campaign, eventually signing an executive order encouraging the NCAA to forbid their participation in college sports.
Days later, the collegiate sports governing body complied and adjusted the rule.
The controversy with Dart came after he introduced Trump at a rally in support of the re-election campaign of New York congressman Mike Lawler. In the aftermath, teammate Abdul Carter called Dart out for his decision.
But any hint of a rift seemed to be gone as the Giants opened their organized team activities at the end of May. Carter told reporters that he felt there was no need for Dart to apologize.
‘I don’t want him to say he’s sorry,’ Carter said. ‘Stand on what you believe in, but it can’t be a problem if I stand on what I believe in. As long as we have that understanding, it’s all good.’
After the incident, Dart hinted that he’d avoid venturing too much into politics in the future
Dart, meanwhile, expressed support for his teammates through the rift.
‘I can honestly say that I love every single one of my brothers, my teammates on this team, regardless of politics, regardless of religious beliefs, regardless of anything that may be different between us,’ Dart said late last month.
He added, ‘This was a unique opportunity, being asked and given the opportunity to introduce the President of the United States. My thinking was pretty simple. I’ve always loved this country.’
Despite the invite, Dart seemed to indicate that he has no intention of stepping into the political sphere again any time soon.
‘I also understand that in this world, politics can be a sensitive matter, a sensitive topic,’ he said. ‘I also understand that I am the quarterback of the New York Giants, and that involves a lot of responsibility.
‘It’s under a limelight, under a microscope, and there’s a lot that comes with that. And it’s been something that I’ve embraced. I’ve loved being here. I’ve loved the city of New York. I love the city (sic) of New Jersey.’