


After footage emerged from ESPN showing that the channel honored transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for Women's History Month, conservative commentator Megyn Kelly slammed the network.
"Oh HELL NO," she wrote on Twitter after seeing the clip.
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In the segment titled "celebrating Women's History Month," Thomas is profiled. Thomas also provides commentary during the clip, saying, "Being trans is not a choice."
Oh HELL NO https://t.co/Mgsb1VM9bg
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) March 26, 2023
"In 2022, swimmer Lia Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship by winning the 500 freestyle," the narration said. "The Texas native competed for three seasons on the men's swim team at the University of Pennsylvania."
"She began her transition after her sophomore season. And after a gap year due to the pandemic that forced the Ivy League to cancel all sports, Thomas made her debut as a member of the women's team in December 2021," it continued.
"Being trans is not a choice. I didn't have any other choice because not transitioning was not leading me anywhere," Thomas said in an interview for the segment.
ESPN celebrated Women’s History Month by promoting a special about transgender swimmer Lia Thomas……a biological male who destroyed real women in the pool. pic.twitter.com/gVLa0rz2NN
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) March 26, 2023
The narration added that "she competed amidst criticism from the swimming community, competitors, and teammates. She said she hopes her persistence serves a larger purpose."
Thomas then said, "people will say, 'oh, she just transitioned so she would have an advantage so she could win.' I transitioned to be happy."
ESPN did not respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment.
Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines also criticized the network's decision, slamming Thomas as "an arrogant cheat" who "stole a national title."
Lia Thomas is not a brave, courageous woman who EARNED a national title. He is an arrogant, cheat who STOLE a national title from a hardworking, deserving woman. The @ncaa is responsible.
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) March 26, 2023
If I was a woman working at ESPN, I would walk out. You're spineless @espn #boycottESPN https://t.co/DF3n5RWsmV
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She added, "If I was a woman working at ESPN, I would walk out. You're spineless @espn #boycottESPN."
Gaines is a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and a spokeswoman for the Independent Women's Forum. She has been a vocal proponent of protecting women's sports after competing against Thomas.