The White House has reiterated the United States government’s position that it recognises only two sexes, male and female, under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The administration restated its position in a post on its official X account on Saturday, saying, “It is the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders: male & female.”
The statement reinforces Trump’s longstanding stance on gender identity and his administration’s policy of recognising biological sex as either male or female in federal government operations.
Trump formalised the policy on January 20, 2025, through an executive order titled Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.
Under Section Two of the order, the President stated that “it is the policy of the United States to recognise two sexes, male and female.”
The directive also defined sex as an individual’s “immutable biological classification as either male or female,” distinguishing it from gender identity.
It further instructed federal agencies to apply the definitions when interpreting and implementing federal laws and government policies.
As part of the measures, government agencies were directed to remove official statements, regulations, policies and communications considered inconsistent with the administration’s position.
They were also required to ensure that official forms requesting an individual’s sex provided only two options: male or female.
The executive order was part of Trump’s broader efforts to reverse policies introduced under his predecessor, Joe Biden, which recognised gender identity in various areas of federal government operations.
The White House’s latest declaration underscores the administration’s continued position on an issue that remains a major subject of political and social debate in the United States.
Trump had also addressed the issue during his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025.
In his inaugural address, he outlined his administration’s agenda, covering gender, race, border control, economic reforms and energy policies.
He declared that his government would recognise only two genders, male and female, rejecting the recognition of identities such as transgender, non-binary and genderqueer.
