Charles Barkley Gives Strong Take On Transgender Athletes Debate

Basketball Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley referred to supporters of transgender athletes as "stupid" while discussing the highly debated topic on Outkick's Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich Thursday (May 8).

“I’m gonna make this very simple for you, Dan. Men should not play sports against women,” Barkley said. “I’m not gonna get into all the bulls**t that’s going on out here in the world today.”

“Men should not play sports against women. If anybody thinks that, I think they’re stupid,” Barkley continued. “I support the gay community 100%. I support the transgender community 100%. But I do not, under any circumstances… think that men should play sports against women," he added.

Barkley's comments came months after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning biological males from competing in women's sports, which threatened schools choosing not to comply of losing federal funds. The NCAA then changed its gender eligibility policies to ban all biological males from competing in women's sports the following day.

“If anybody has a problem with that, they’re gonna have to get over it because I’m not gonna change my [mind]. I just think it’s wrong, period,” Barkley said of potential outrage over his stance.

“I don’t even think that’s controversial… I don’t wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don’t wanna hear it. I’m not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn’t play sports against women. I’m done,” he added.