Trump Appoints Registered Sex Offender Lawrence Taylor to Youth Sports Council

Donald Trump has appointed former NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor to a new council focusing on youth sports, despite Taylor being a registered sex offender. Taylor was convicted in 2011 for sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old girl, leading to his registration as a sex offender in Florida.

On July 31, 2025, Trump signed an executive order to reestablish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, where Taylor will be advising on strategies to promote physical education. The appointment has drawn scrutiny given Taylor’s criminal history and the nature of his offense.

A claim originating from the organization Republicans Against Trump highlighted the absurdity of Trump launching a youth sports initiative alongside someone with such a controversial background. This has sparked further discourse on the appropriateness of appointing a registered offender to a role involving youth affairs.

While Taylor expressed enthusiasm about joining the council, noting that he was unsure of his expected contributions, the implications of his appointment raise ethical concerns about Trump’s judgment. The council is designed to foster healthy habits among American youth, which stands in stark contrast to Taylor’s past actions.

The White House has yet to clarify whether it was aware of Taylor’s status at the time of his appointment, which casts a shadow over this initiative and raises questions about the administration’s commitment to safeguarding children, especially when linked to figures with troubling histories.

(h/t: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/lawrence-taylor-trump-nfl/)