A White House photo meant to celebrate the University of Georgia's national champion women's tennis team went viral on 22 April 2026, but for all the wrong reasons.
The image,posted to XbyWhite House aide Margo Martin, showed the Bulldogs' 11-strong squad largely obscured by a wall of men standing in the foreground, Donald Trump among them. C
ritics responded within minutes, public figures piled on overnight, and the White House issued a rebuttal before the day was done. The photograph has since sparked a wider conversation about theTrump administration's record on women in sport.
The University of Georgia women's tennis team arrived at the White House on Tuesday, 22 April 2026, as part of a group ceremony honoring several NCAA national champions. The Bulldogs had earned their place there bydefeating Texas A&M 4-0 in the 2025 final, claiming the programme's third national title and its first since 2000. Eleven players made the trip to Washington D.C., swapping their rackets and match kits for blazers.
Trump greeted the assembled group with 'Go Dawgs' as he entered the room, then briefly chatted with the players before the group assembled for a formal photograph. A video shared by White House aide Margo Martin on X showed Trump approaching the front of the group and shaking hands with the five men positioned there, without greeting the athletes standing behind them.
Congratulations, Georgia Women’s Tennis! 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/v10nwRskuU
Martin then posted theofficial phototo X with the caption: 'Congratulations, Georgia Women's Tennis!' In the image, Trump stands at the centre, flanked on a raised platform by two of the winning players. The remaining nine are largely invisible, pushed to the back two rows behind a cluster of men who dominate the foreground.
An honor to represent the University of Georgia at the White House today!@realDonaldTrumpthanks for having us out! 🇺🇸🏆#GoDawgspic.twitter.com/3VLdfZ6olP
The team posted on their official X account: 'An honor to represent the University of Georgia at the White House today!' Head coach Drake Bernstein, who appeared directly beside Trump in the photograph, told the Athens Banner-Herald that the squad was 'thrilled' to be there. 'This is a terrific experience and memory for these young ladies to be able to share for the rest of their lives,' Bernstein said in a text message, as reported by USA Today.
The photo drew immediate and widespread criticism on social media.Martina Navratilova, the Czech-American tennis legend and 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, responded on X with pointed brevity: 'A photo is worth a thousand words...'
Source: International Business Times UK
