Elon Musk faced significant backlash after responding to a post questioning boxer Imane Khelif’s gender with a single word: “Absolutely.” The controversy began when Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer, insinuated that Khelif, who has been recognized as female since birth, should not compete in women’s sports. Musk’s endorsement of Gaines’ statement ignited a wave of criticism from social media users.
Footballer Adlène Guedioura defended Khelif, stating, “Imane Khelif is our Algerian pride SHE’S an excellent boxer and you should verify first before relaying wrong information.” Another user criticized Musk for spreading misinformation without proof, saying, “Shame on you @elonmusk you don’t have any proof you are just following some stupid rumors and using your platform to destroy a young athlete!” A third user emphasized Musk’s responsibility to educate his audience, questioning how someone as influential as Musk could judge a case without proper information.
Absolutely https://t.co/twccUEOW9e
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
Khelif’s father, Omar Khelif, also defended his daughter, showing her birth certificate to prove she was born female. “My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She’s a strong girl. I raised her to be hard-working and brave,” he stated. The International Olympic Committee has confirmed Khelif’s eligibility, noting that all competitors in the women’s category comply with the necessary rules.
In response to the negative impact of the controversy, Khelif called for an end to bullying, highlighting its destructive effects. “It can destroy people and kill their thoughts, their spirit, and their mind. Bullying can cause division and because of all this I am asking them to stop bullying,” she said. Despite the intense scrutiny, Khelif advanced to the final and is set to compete for the gold medal against Yang Liu of China.
