At a press conference held at the White House last week, President Donald Trump accomplished what many of his political opponents and critics have struggled to do: he provided a clear, concise answer to the question, “What is a woman?”
The query, which has sparked heated debate and stumbled public figures across the ideological spectrum, was posed by a reporter during a discussion about the administration’s policies on gender and sports. Trump’s response was characteristically direct, blending simplicity with his signature flair.
“A woman is someone who can have a baby under certain circumstances,” Trump said, pausing briefly before adding, “She’s often smarter than a man—I’ve always found that. And she doesn’t even give a man a chance of success sometimes. A woman’s been treated badly in many cases, but now we’re doing great things for them.”
The moment marked a stark contrast to the hesitancy or convoluted responses that have tripped up other leaders and public figures when faced with the same question.
During the 2022 Supreme Court confirmation hearings, then-nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson famously declined to define the term, saying, “I’m not a biologist.” Political opponents of Trump, particularly within progressive circles, have often sidestepped the question or offered lengthy explanations rooted in identity and inclusion, leaving critics unsatisfied. Trump, however, leaned into a biological framing while tossing in a nod to women’s intelligence and resilience—perhaps a strategic appeal to his base and moderates alike.
Trump’s comments come amid his administration’s broader push to reinforce traditional gender distinctions in policy, including a recent executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports at the federal level.
The move has been a lightning rod, galvanizing his conservative supporters while drawing fierce opposition from progressive lawmakers and activists.