IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Caitlin Clark is responding to the backlash she’s receiving for not commenting on the trans athletes in women’s sports controversy.
For the past month, Sophie Cunningham caused a stir when she believed that trans athletes should not be allowed in women’s sports.
Over the weekend, things came to a head when Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve confronted Cunningham while wearing a “trans kids belong” shirt.
When asked about her opinion on the matter, Clark refused to answer and said she wanted the focus to be on basketball.
“It’s not really a discussion we have in the locker room “It’s for the leagues and governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions.” “Our focus is on basketball”
Caitlin Clark dodges question on protecting women’s sports.
“It’s for the leagues and governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions.” pic.twitter.com/LZSx91D4XX
— Jackson Thompson (@JackThompsonFOX) August 2, 2026
Clark was then called a coward by Megyn Kelly and other conservatives for not speaking out against trans athletes in women’s sports.
On Thursday, before the Fever’s game against the Aces, Clark addressed the backlash and the pressure she faces as a 24-year-old superstar in the league.
“I think, first and foremost, you speak when you feel like you want to speak, “I think, for myself, I’ve been in this position for, what? Five years now? Four years? I think I have a good feel of what’s gonna be asked, what’s not gonna be asked, how to approach each situation, and I try to show up and just be myself every single day.”
“I hope fans feel like they can connect with me in that way, but at the same time, I’m 24 years old,” Clark continued. “I’m trying to navigate life. I’m trying to navigate playing at the highest level. And then, sometimes, you get asked a lot of questions. Sometimes, that’s your responsibility, and sometimes, you want to keep the focus on basketball. So, I feel like you just do your best to navigate it. You go with your gut. I feel, any time I’m up at this podium, I try to give you my authentic self the best way I can.”
“Sure, there’s a responsibility, and sure, there’s pressure at times. I think there’s moments where you’re able to block a lot of it out. I feel like any athlete would probably feel like they’re lying to you if they said that they didn’t feel pressure in a certain way. Or, feel like they had certain expectations, whether that’s a question that’s gonna be asked, whether that’s your ability to perform, no matter what it is. That can probably creep in on an athlete performing at the highest level.”