Via/AP
At a Pennsylvania campaign rally on Saturday, former President Donald Trump sparked controversy by mislabeling two Olympic gold medalists as men. During his speech, Trump criticized the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, promising to “keep men out of women’s sports.”
His remarks were aimed at athletes who had recently faced scrutiny over gender stereotypes, drawing criticism from various quarters, including the queer community, as reported by ABC News. Without naming the athletes, Trump claimed, “In the Olympics, they had two transitions. They were men. They transitioned to women, and they were in the boxing.” Describing the games as “crazy,” he added, “It’s so demeaning to women.”
The athletes in question, Imane Khelif of Algeria and Li Yu-ting of Taiwan faced gender bias and backlash during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Both had been criticized for allegedly failing to meet the International Boxing Association’s eligibility parameters, according to AP News.
Trump’s comments on August 17 have been met with widespread disapproval. Many internet users took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration with his misinformed statements. @RicardiMaestre tweeted, “Trump literally congratulated Imane the boxer for winning gold and called her a Trans. When even MAGA knew she was not Trans instead XY but he had to go the extra mile to FEAR MONGER. VILE SHIT no Christian can ever support that and call themselves Christian.”
Another user criticized the spread of misinformation, saying, “Thinking about how I lost a mutual over Imane because she thought Imane was a male LMFAOOOOOOOOO every Republican on this app are dumb a****.”
Supporters of the athletes defended them against Trump’s remarks. @Hollum_CPS wrote, “Imane Khelif is a woman. Not even in the ‘Trans women are real women’ sense, I mean, she’s born a woman, with woman genitalia, was raised as such, registered as such, and just to put a cherry on top, comes from and represents a country that doesn’t recognize Trans rights anyway.”
Another critic, @laugh_s41827, added, “Trump at his rally right now is repeating the LIE that the two female Olympic boxers with XY gonadal dysgenesis were ‘transitioned men,’ calling them ‘men.’ They were never men. And they aren’t American so he should mind his own damned business.”
User @JudyLey2 expressed disappointment, stating, “He is such a loser and I will be ashamed the Olympics are coming to Cali the world will see what a mess America is! Our only help votes Trump in to clean up and restore American citizens to their rightful privileges.”
As the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics saw Tom Cruise participate in the “passing the baton” ceremony, the focus now shifts to the upcoming 2028 Olympics, which will be held in the United States.
