Athlete Leadership Council (December 2025)

Our Athlete Leadership Council had its year-end meeting and holiday gathering on December 6^th. They had a two-hour agenda (see below) planned, which included me asking them about President Trump’s November 27 social post in which he wrote “The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz…”. While on  recent use of the word “retard” aimed at Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz and On November 30^th, the President was asked by a reporter (YouTube video of reporter asking question)  if he stood by his comment to which the President responded, “Yeah, I think there’s something wrong with him, absolutely, sure,” Trump responded, adding, “I think there’s something wrong with him.” 

I just wanted to provide our Athlete Leadership Council an opportunity to share their perspective regarding President Trump’s use of the word retard so I posed the question, “If you had the chance to have a conversation with the President, how would it go…what would you say?” And I wanted to share their thoughts so people could have a better understanding of the impact that it does have on our athletes and all individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

I continue to reflect on the President’s comments and the perspective of our athletes. Today I searched for an answer to this question: “Has use of the r-word increased since President Trump referred to Governor Walz as seriously retarded?”

This is what I found:

1. From Montclair State University – “R-Word” Slurs Triple on X After Donald Trump’s Thanksgiving Post Used the Word
2. A disappointing trend includes multiple examples of people, including Joe Rogan, who has used his podcast to say, “The word ‘retarded’ is back, and it’s one of the great culture victories,” Rogan said with a laugh in the April 10 episode of his über-popular podcast. “Probably spurred on by podcasts.”

Our athletes will continue to lead efforts to help people who are willing to listen, have a conversation, and understand that words do matter. I am really proud of our athletes for sharing their perspective.

Special Olympics Maryland Athlete Leadership Council December 6^th Meeting Agenda

• Motivational sharing
• Athlete Stewardship (Flying Hope) team update
• Sports Committee update (Board of Directors)
• Athlete Leadership Committee update (Board of Directors)
• Hall of Fame Committee update
• Athlete leadership activities attended since the last meeting
• Discussion on the use of the R-word
• Athlete Leadership department updates
• Project updates
• Old business
• Thank-A-Thon recap
• New business
• Plunge fundraising
• Tentative 2026 meeting schedule reminder
• Request for topic ideas from athletes and area management teams