Simone Biles has deleted her X (formerly Twitter) account after a public fight with Riley Gaines over the role of transgender athletes in sports. The Olympic champion spoke out against Gaines, calling her a bully and asking for more support for trans athletes. Soon after, Biles faced harsh backlash online. Screenshots show she had over 1.9 million followers before she left the platform.

The argument began when Gaines repeated her stance that only athletes assigned female at birth should compete in women’s sports. Biles responded with a sharp message, saying Gaines should focus on lifting others up, not tearing them down. After things got more personal, Biles apologized for her tone, but not for her belief that sports should be fair and inclusive for all.

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Simone Biles Stands Firm Despite the Attacks

Biles’ departure from the platform did not happen in a vacuum. While right-leaning outlets described her apology as groveling, more balanced and left-leaning media highlighted her mental health, her history of advocacy, and the hostile environment online. The gymnast acknowledged that her response to Gaines was emotional and personally driven. But she also made it clear that she believes inclusivity and fairness can co-exist in sports, and that organizations have a duty to navigate these complexities responsibly.

Riley Gaines, a former swimmer who has built a media career by opposing transgender participation in women’s sports, framed the situation as another culture war win. Yet her celebratory tone only underscored the performative nature of the backlash. Gaines may thrive on controversy, but Biles has consistently prioritized athletes’ wellbeing, including her own.

The real issue isn’t a tweet or an apology. It’s the relentless attacks women like Biles face for defending basic human dignity.

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