Trump photo with women’s tennis team sparks outrage - BERITAJA

A White House photograph meant to observe a title women’s squad drew backlash aft critics said it sidelined the very athletes it was expected to honor. The contention began erstwhile an image shared connected X by White House adjutant Margo Martin showed Donald Trump posing pinch the Georgia Bulldogs women’s tennis team, pinch the players mostly obscured down a group of men successful the foreground.

The image went viral wrong minutes. Critics and nationalist figures quickly reacted and the photograph soon fueled a wider speech about the Trump administration’s attack to women successful sports.

The photo, posted by White House communications advisor Martin, showed the athletes gathered down six men, including the president, who stood somewhat elevated connected a step. Martin captioned it simply: “Congratulations, Georgia Women’s Tennis!”

Trump’s remarks astatine the event

At the White House ceremony, Trump singled retired 1 subordinate for praise. “Up adjacent are the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tennis Champions, the Georgia Bulldogs, who conscionable captured their 3rd nationalist title,” Trump said. “Sophia Rojas sealed this team’s unthinkable victory, losing the first group earlier roaring backmost to predominate the adjacent 2 and clinch Georgia’s expanse complete Texas A&M. And each I could opportunity is, ‘Go Bulldogs.’ That’s a awesome state, I emotion that state. Did very good there, too, successful the election. You know, I only for illustration the states that I win.”

Trump besides offered little individual remarks connected the sport. Speaking to reporters, he said the Bulldogs had done exceptional work, adding that, “What a awesome job. That’s a reliable point to do. I play tennis a small bit, not rather astatine that level, not quite, but that’s a awesome achievement.”

Along pinch the women’s champions, Trump besides honored different assemblage winners, including Wake Forest successful men’s tennis, Oklahoma State successful men’s golf, Texas A&M successful women’s volleyball, Youngstown State successful women’s bowling, Florida State successful women’s shot and West Virginia successful mixed rifle.

The handshake contention wrong the controversy

The photograph was not the only constituent that drew criticism. Martin besides shared a video of Trump approaching the riser wherever the athletes stood. The men were already lined up successful beforehand of the women and he did not shingle the women’s hands successful the video.

That item intensified the reaction. “The women who put successful the activity don’t get the handshake,” 1 personification wrote. “He shook only the guys’ hands. How could anyone warrant this?” different asked.

“Go Dawgs!” @POTUS congratulates the Georgia Women’s Tennis Team connected winning the 2025 National Championship! pic.twitter.com/tnAXEGdh9r

— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) April 21, 2026

Videos and photos from different events show Trump greeting female athletes straight and positioning them much prominently successful group photos.

Tennis legends respond

The image drew reactions from salient figures successful tennis. Martina Navratilova was among the first to respond, penning connected X, “A photograph is worthy a 1000 words…” Her remark quickly gained traction crossed the platform.

A photograph is worthy a 1000 words… https://t.co/AwM13R4zlQ

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 22, 2026

Former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs besides weighed in, reposting the image pinch a pointed remark, “Pretty judge this wasn’t the men’s team, was it??????”

Pretty judge this wasn’t the men’s team, was it?????? pic.twitter.com/VA1wspLvC0

— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) April 22, 2026

Both Navratilova and Stubbs person been vocal critics of Trump and person spoken retired against his policies successful the past.

The Georgia team’s ain response

Despite the backlash, the University of Georgia’s women’s tennis squad did not region itself from the visit. The squad posted connected its charismatic X account, “An grant to correspond the University of Georgia astatine the White House today! @realDonaldTrump acknowledgment for having america out!”

An grant to correspond the University of Georgia astatine the White House today! @realDonaldTrump acknowledgment for having america out! #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/3VLdfZ6olP

— Georgia Women's Tennis (@UGAWomensTennis) April 22, 2026

Head coach Drake Bernstein, who stood beside Trump successful the photo, said that the squad was “thrilled” to correspond the assemblage and the state. “This is simply a terrific acquisition and representation for these young ladies to beryllium capable to stock for the remainder of their lives,” Bernstein said.

The UGA Athletic Association said it was “honored” by the nickname and remained proud of the team’s success.