JD Vance has message for Sophie Cunningham after she triggered WNBA trans firestorm

Joshua MbuThu, August 6, 2026 at 9:12 AM UTC

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J.D. Vance has weighed in on the WNBA trans firestorm sparked by Sophie Cunningham -Credit:Getty

Vice President J.D. Vance has heaped praise on Sophie Cunningham after the Indiana Fever star sparked a firestorm over trans athletes competing in women’s sports.

Cunningham, 29, landed herself in fresh controversy during a July interview released last month with ESPN. The WNBA star said one political issue she felt comfortable speaking about was "protecting women's sports." The phrase is often used by those who support policies or laws that would prevent transgender girls and women from competing in female sports. "I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" she said.

"I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men,” she added. The comments dominated the WNBA news cycle and appeared to rub some in the industry the wrong way. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt in support of trans children during her team’s meeting with Cunningham and the Fever.

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Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton was also fined and suspended after an exchange with two teenage girls wearing shirts depicting XX and XY chromosomes.

Keaton reportedly approached them, cursed and called them insane, during the game, which was Cunningham’s first for the Fever since doubling down on what she described as a “common sense” issue.

WNBA coaches and players have been asked for their response to Cunningham’s comments, including Fever teammate Caitlin Clark, who maintained her desire to focus strictly on basketball.

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VP Vance has now weighed in, and praised Cunningham for standing her ground.

Donald Trump speaks with Vice President JD Vance -Credit:Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP via Getty Images

“I just think, look, sometimes when you're courageous in this country, some of the worst people in the world try to attack you,” Vance said on FOX. “What I would tell Sophie and anybody else is keep speaking your mind.

“You actually are inspiring a dozen people for every person that criticizes you. And we cannot take our country back.

"We cannot save the United States of America unless you have people of courage who are speaking their mind.

“The thing about courage, Laura, is it's contagious. When you see one person, even if they have the mob come after them, one person speak their mind in a courageous and honest way, it inspires a lot of people to do the same. So I would tell Sophie, keep going.”

Sophie Cunningham in action -Credit:Getty

Cunningham has also stated that she would like to refocus on basketball. The Fever are rockin’ and rolling in 2026. She is playing her role in the Fever, averaging 96.5 points per game.

"I'm going to let people just do the speaking for themselves, but for me, I want to get back to basketball," Cunningham said. "It's always been about basketball. That interview happened in [March].

“I just want to make sure that the focus stays where it should because people are playing at such a high level."

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Source: “AOL Sports”