Mike Johnson Cheers Ex-NBA Player Calling Out WNBA ‘Absurdity’ on Trans Issues

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) gave ex-NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom a round of applause on Saturday for pointing out the WNBA’s “absurdity” on  trans issues, one day after Freedom declared he would enter the league’s draft.

Johnson cheered Freedom’s move in an X post.

“My friend Enes Freedom illustrates the absurdity of the WNBA’s policy to allow biological men in the league,” Johnson said, in addition to sharing Freedom’s video where he said he was pushing to join the WNBA.

Freedom wrote on Friday, “If simply declaring who you are is all that’s required, then I meet every single requirement necessary to compete in the WNBA. My team and I have carefully examined the WNBA’s eligibility criteria and governing framework surrounding self-identification and inclusion. Based on the current guidelines, I can and am officially declaring my eligibility for the upcoming WNBA draft in April 2027.”

He continued:

I know my presence on the court will stir up strong opinions. I am definitely not here to mock, make fun of, or disrespect any community or personal choices. I’m simply asking that the current rules be applied equally to everyone — the rules that represent the very values many WNBA players and coaches have publicly advocated for.

Fox News covered Freedom’s announcement on Saturday, with reporter Natalie Chuck noting ex-NBA player Royce White declared he was entering the WNBA draft as well, a few hours after Freedom.

The 35-year-old White was a first-round pick of the Houston Rockets in 2012, but only played three NBA games in his career due to struggles with generalized anxiety disorder; 34-year-old Freedom averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game in his 11 NBA seasons.

Chuck reported the WNBA’s labor union put out a statement on Friday condemning both players.

“Hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people, only fuel fear, division, and harm,” the union’s statement said in part. “We will continue to have hard conversations. But we will not be used as political pawns.”

She also pointed out the debate over trans athletes was sparked what Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham said in an ESPN profile last month.

Here is the comment that sparked the whole saga:

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” [Cunningham] says. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

Cunningham’s comment has been both praised and condemned, with some fans rallying in support of her and making her Adidas sneakers a must-have item. Others have criticized her for it, including one opposing coach who took a not-so-subtle shot at Cunningham last week by wearing a shirt declaring “Trans Kids Belong.” 

Cunningham shrugged it off and took a picture with Outkick’s Riley Gaines after the game.

Watch above via Fox News.

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