Once again, all eyes are on Minnesota—this time for a softball game that’s stirred a national firestorm.
A transgender athlete who led Champlin Park High School to a girls’ state softball championship is now at the center of fierce debate, drawing rebuke from the White House and outrage from Olympic and professional athletes alike.
Marissa Rothenberger, a junior pitcher whose parents reportedly obtained a court order to change the child’s name and sex to female at age nine, capped off a commanding season on the mound with a complete-game shutout in Champlin Park’s 6-0 win over Bloomington Jefferson in the Class 4A championship.
White House reaffirms stance on women’s sports
In response to Rothenberger’s championship win, a White House spokesperson reaffirmed the administration’s position, telling Fox News Digital: “President Trump is protecting women in sports and restoring common sense. Those who choose to violate federal law will be held accountable.”
Rothenberger’s eligibility appears to directly violate Trump’s executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” The U.S. Department of Education previously opened a Title IX investigation into the Minnesota State High School League.
Minnesota Democrats block fairness bill
In March, a Republican-backed bill that would have barred biological males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports failed to pass after every Democrat in the Minnesota Legislature voted it down.
Before the vote, former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines —who placed behind biological male Lia Thomas at the 2022 championships—spoke at the Minnesota State Capitol in support of the bill.
“Minnesota for too long has turned its back on women and girls. The concept of gender identity and the reality of sex are in direct conflict with each other,” Gaines said at the time.
Athletes spar on X over fairness in girls’ sports before Biles walks back comments
The controversy over fairness in sports escalated after Gaines criticized Rothenberger’s win on X and called out the MSHSL for disabling comments on its congratulatory post for Champlin Park’s softball team—a move she said silenced public reaction.
The post has since drawn more than 46 million views.
Simone Biles then entered the fray, calling Gaines “truly sick” and a “sore loser.”
The 4’8” gymnast also appeared to body shame the 5’5″ swimmer, writing, “Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.”
@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser. You should be uplifting the trans community and perhaps finding a way to make sports inclusive OR creating a new avenue where trans feel safe in sports. Maybe a transgender… https://t.co/pjpzuZ0AlO
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) June 6, 2025
The feud escalated when Gaines resurfaced a 2017 tweet from Biles, in which the Olympic gold medalist appeared to acknowledge biological differences in athletic performance, writing: “Ahhhh good thing guys don’t compete against girls or he’d take all the gold!!”
Gaines responded: “Oop, don’t you hate it when your past self completely undermines your current nonsensical argument?”
Oop don’t you hate it when your past self completely undermines your current nonsensical argument?
How has 2025 Simone reconciled with the fact 2017 Simone was a 'truly sick bully' by her own standard? https://t.co/aQjKuNSmMh
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 8, 2025
But on Tuesday, Biles attempted to dial back the feud and issued a public apology on X.
“I’ve always believed competitive equity and inclusivity are both essential in sport,” Biles wrote. “The current system doesn’t adequately balance these important principles … and it didn’t help for me to get personal with Riley, which I apologize for.”
Biles added that her objection was not about fairness policies but about “singling out children.”
“Individual athletes – especially kids – should never be the focus of criticism of a flawed system they have no control over,” she said. “We all want a future for sport that is fair, inclusive, and respectful.”
Gaines accepted the apology, and used the moment to move the conversation forward.
“I accept Simone’s apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She’s still the greatest female gymnast of all time,” Gaines said.
I accept Simone's apology for the personal attacks including the ones where she body-shamed me. I know she knows what this feels like. She's still the greatest female gymnast of all time.
A couple of things. Sports ARE inclusive by nature. Anyone can and everyone SHOULD play… https://t.co/V8YbMvs3xf
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 10, 2025
Multiple lawsuits escalate legal battle
Meanwhile, lawsuits surrounding the topic are swirling.
In April, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s executive order.
Ellison accused the administration of launching an “unconscionable attack” on “vulnerable” children, writing in a statement: “[Trump’s] burning desire to destroy trans kids and punish us for helping them live and thrive isn’t just a violation of the law—it’s a violation of Minnesota values.”
Ellison also had a lot to say about Rothenberger leading Champlin Park to a state championship – praising the pitcher and calling those who speak out against biological males competing in girls’ sports as “cruel”.
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison defends MSHSL trans athlete policy.
Calls those who speak out “cruel”
Says it’s “wrong to single out” biological males in girls’ sports https://t.co/tFFgX4DDh3— Jenna Gloeb (@Jenna_Gloeb) June 6, 2025
Last month, Alpha News reported that three anonymous Minnesota softball players have also filed a federal lawsuit—suing the MSHSL and Ellison under the Trump administration’s executive order.
The lawsuit, filed by Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of Female Athletes United, claims biological males’ participation in girls’ sports violates Title IX and has unfairly displaced and harmed biological female athletes.
According to the complaint, the three plaintiffs say they were directly impacted by having to compete against an unnamed biological male pitcher in Minnesota—presumably Rothenberger. One girl says she was injured after being hit by a pitch, another lost key postseason games to the athlete, and a third quit her team to avoid competing with the player for pitching time.
Majority of Americans oppose trans participation in girls’ sports
Meanwhile, public support for restricting transgender participation in women’s sports continues to grow.
A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey found that 79% of Americans believe biological males should not be allowed to compete in female athletics—including 67% of self-identified Democrats.
Alpha News reached out to the MSHSL for comment on the controversy and its decision to disable comments on its social media post but did not receive a response.
The MSHSL previously confirmed to Alpha News that Rothenberger was eligible to compete under current state policy.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
