Simone Biles and Riley Gaines’ Social Media Feud
It seems if you’re being booted from social media platforms, it hints at a loss in a debate. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles recently found herself in a clash with former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines.
The dispute kicked off when Gaines voiced her criticism of allowing trans athletes to compete in Minnesota’s high school softball teams. This, apparently, drew quite a personal reaction from Biles, who some say responded with a display of aggression.
“Honestly, if a male gymnast entered her division and dominated, I doubt Simone would be applauding. She would’ve definitely called it a foul—because that’s exactly what it is,” one commenter noted.
Following an apology to Gaines, Biles decided to deactivate her account on X.
“I’ve always believed that fairness in competition and inclusivity are fundamental to sports. Right now, the system seems to weigh these principles unevenly, leading to a lot of frustration. It didn’t help matters to get personal with Riley,” she explained.
Biles added that her issue isn’t with children facing public scrutiny, but rather with the “flawed” competitive system in sports.
Later, she shared an ambiguous post on Instagram with the line, “Strength comes from the madness we survive.”
While many in the left circles lauded Biles for her stance on trans athletes, Gaines shot back, calling it unreasonable to demand their inclusion under the guise of “equity.”
“Public humiliation of girls by boys is unacceptable. It’s wrong to imply women should remain silent when they are hurt or belittled by men,” Gaines argued back in early June. “If young men turn a blind eye to their actions, how can they empathize or care about girls?”
Other female athletes chimed in against Biles’s viewpoint in comments on Blaze News. Jennifer Say, a prominent U.S. gymnast, said, “I think it was a rash decision. It surprised me how she reacted; I expected more support.”
Another critic, former NCAA swimmer Caitlyn Wheeler, added, “Simone has never faced a male gymnast taking her spot on the podium, so it’s easy for her to say what she does.”
Wheeler went on, “If a male gymnast came into her division and excelled, she wouldn’t just cheer; she’d call it out as a foul, and rightly so.”
Some members of the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team distanced themselves from Biles during the 2021 events, citing her need to focus on mental health.
“In the end, I have to prioritize what’s right for me,” she said at that time. “Everything that unfolded at the Olympics was overwhelming.”
