Trump demands apology from Maine governor over transgender sports dispute

ISTANBUL (AA) – President Donald Trump demanded a public apology from Maine Governor Janet Mills on Saturday, following a clash over his executive order banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Mills for her stance, following his threats last month to withhold federal funding unless she complies.

“While the State of Maine has apologized for their Governor’s strong, but totally incorrect, statement about men playing in women’s sports while at the White House House Governor’s Conference, we have not heard from the Governor herself,” Trump wrote.

He demanded a “full-throated” apology and a statement from Mills that she would never make such an “unlawful challenge” again.

“I’m sure she will be able to do that quite easily,” Trump said.

Mills has not responded to Trump’s call.

The dispute between the two began in February when Trump signed an executive order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which aims to ban transgender women from women’s and girls’ sports.

During a White House event last month, Trump confronted Mills, asking if she would comply with the order. Mills responded: “I’m complying with state and federal law.” Trump retorted: “We are the federal law. Well, you better do it. You better do it because you’re not going to get any federal funding at all if you don’t.”

Mills, a Democrat, stood her ground, saying: “We’ll see you in court,” with Trump replying: “Good. I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that.”