Controversial British broadcaster Piers Morgan has launched a scathing attack on former United States international Megan Rapinoe after the retired soccer star branded former President Donald Trump as “depraved.”

The backlash stems from Rapinoe’s criticism of Trump’s executive order which effectively bans transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports at public institutions. The 39-year-old, known for her outspoken activism, condemned the order during an interview with soccer publication, MUNDIAL, describing Trump’s stance as both “cruel and depraved.”

Morgan, who is no stranger to voicing controversial opinions, responded via his X account (formerly Twitter), ridiculing Rapinoe’s choice of words.
“Imagine thinking that anyone who questions biological men playing in women’s sport is ‘depraved,’” Morgan tweeted, followed by a string of laughing emojis.
He concluded his post by branding the former U.S. Women’s National Team star as a “fraud.”

Trump’s executive order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” is part of a broader conservative push to legally define gender based on biological sex, a move that has sparked intense debates worldwide.

Opinion: When Two Storms Collide

Piers Morgan and Megan Rapinoe are two personalities known for their unfiltered views and bold rhetoric. But in this case, the clash of ideologies goes beyond mere verbal skirmishes — it highlights a much larger and sensitive issue: the intersection of sports, gender identity, and politics.

Rapinoe has long been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity, even at the expense of her own popularity among conservative circles. Her stance on trans athletes’ participation in sports may be viewed as a progressive push for equality by some, while others see it as a threat to fairness in women’s sports.

On the other hand, Morgan’s swift rebuttal showcases a sentiment shared by many who feel that biological differences should not be disregarded in the name of inclusivity. However, his name-calling approach often detracts from the legitimacy of his argument. Instead of fostering a balanced conversation, it only fans the flames of division.

This latest spat between Morgan and Rapinoe demonstrates once again how contentious and deeply emotional the issue of trans athletes in sports has become. Instead of resorting to name-calling and oversimplified judgments, it might be time for more thoughtful and constructive discourse on what fairness and inclusivity should genuinely look like in modern sports.