Hot Topics, Hard Truths & A Praise Report – April 2025 Recap

Welcome back to Reform the Internet! It’s April 17th, 2025, and though our CEO Matthew is out on paternity leave (congrats on baby Reed!), we’re still bringing the heat on the big issues shaping our world.

The Battle Over Women’s Sports

One of today’s flashpoints is President Trump’s Executive Order 14201: Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports. Signed back in February, it mandates that schools receiving federal funds must bar transgender women (biological males) from competing on female teams — or risk losing funding. Title IX, the administration argues, is clear: sex is based on birth.

This came to a head when Maine’s Governor Janet Mills refused to comply, leading to a fiery exchange with the president and now, a federal lawsuit. The Department of Justice claims Maine’s inclusive policies discriminate against cisgender girls.

Mills calls it federal overreach. But here’s the thing: polls show around 80% of Americans oppose biological men in women’s sports. Even liberal Maine might see a political shift over this.

Why does this matter? Real injuries and unfairness. In 2022, high schooler Payton McNabb suffered a concussion and lasting health issues after a spike from a transgender player. In MMA, Fallon Fox's fight left an opponent with a fractured skull.

These aren’t isolated cases — they underscore real concerns about safety and fairness in female sports. Protecting women doesn’t mean diminishing anyone’s value; it means acknowledging biological differences and standing up for fairness and safety.

A Missionary Rescued

In better news, Pastor Josh Sullivan, a Tennessee missionary kidnapped in South Africa, has been found safe! Sullivan was abducted at gunpoint during a church service but was rescued in a daring police operation.

Though three suspects died in the shootout, Sullivan emerged unharmed — a miracle worth praising. He’s been serving in South Africa with his wife and six children since 2018. Let’s lift up Josh and all missionaries facing real danger for their faith.

Tariffs and Tensions

On the economic front, Trump’s sweeping tariffs are causing debate. While there’s a 90-day pause, tariffs on Chinese imports have been hiked even more. Economists are split: some warn of short-term inflation, while others believe this could secure long-term prosperity and strengthen America's position against China. Whether you're a free-market purist or a protectionist, the outcome here will impact American families and global markets alike.

Laughter (and Cringe) in the Culture War

We also took a lighter (and sometimes cringe-worthy) look at viral videos — from Senator John Kennedy’s colorful rants about "fairy dust and unicorn urine" to Christian parodies of Baby Got Back ("Big Bibles and I cannot lie...").

While some humor lands, much of it reveals deeper cultural shifts — from how we view worship to how we mock or mix sacred and secular. A word of advice: let's rediscover reverence in public worship before every meme becomes a theological train wreck.

Get Involved with RTI

Finally, we’re gearing up for a big giveaway at Reform the Internet — stay tuned! And if you’ve got clips, stories, or topics you want us to tackle, send them over to [email protected]. We love hearing from our community and giving shout-outs to those who help shape the conversation.

As always, we aim to blend serious news with some humor, while standing firm on truth. Let’s continue to defend fairness in sports, celebrate God’s faithfulness in trials, and navigate the wild ride that is 2025 together.

Until next time, stay bold, stay informed — and reform the internet!