‘Women only:’ Florida AG takes aim at Miss America group over trans competitors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After taking aim at the NFL and generative A.I., Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has a new target in his sights: the Miss America group.

Uthmeier took to social media to announce the issue, in which Kayleigh Bush — a.k.a. “Miss North Florida” — was reportedly stripped of her title for refusing to compete against men.

Bush originally earned the title after she won the Miss Freedom USA Pageant back in 2024.

However, Uthmeier said, Bush was later informed that she would need to sign a contract that allowed men who’d undergone vaginoplasties to compete against her.

“Despite advertising that Miss America and Miss Florida are beauty competitions open only to female competitors, your organizations misled Kayleigh and the public by allowing certain men to compete, as well,” Uthmeier wrote in a letter to the group.

The attorney general also pointed to Miss America’s and Miss Florida’s websites, which advertised that contestants must “be a female” to be eligible for competitions.

But when Bush refused to sign the contract, the Miss Florida organization stripped her of her title and barred her from competing further, the attorney general claimed.

“By misrepresenting their competitions to Kayleigh, Miss America and Miss Florida may have violated Florida law,” he continued.

More specifically, Uthmeier argued that the Miss America and Miss Florida groups made false representations about their beauty competitions.

“Both organizations made statements advertising that only females can compete, when in fact men are apparently also permitted to compete,” he concluded. “Nowhere on either organizations’ websites are there any disclosures that men may compete.”

Meanwhile, the Miss American General Council issued a statement following Uthmeier’s announcement, which reads as follows:

“This matter stems from circumstances that are approximately 18 months old and does not reflect a current policy dispute. Kayleigh Bush was awarded the title of Miss North Florida on August 3, 2024, and retained her title throughout her participation. She was never stripped of her title or scholarship dollars. Ms. Bush ultimately chose not to sign the standard participant contract required of all competitors.

The current eligibility policy as to gender was formally updated in the second half of 2024 and was revised again in 2026 to ensure consistency, transparency, and respect for all individuals who meet the qualifications to compete. This update was developed with legal guidance and reflects our ongoing commitment to fairness and inclusion.

Specifically, our participation policy affirms eligibility for Intersex females, who are those born with female chromosomes, but non-conforming genitalia."

Letter from Miss America General Council to Attorney General James Uthmeier