Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has once again been at the center of controversy after a statement that sparked intense global debate: “Men don’t exist in women’s sports.” His statement caused a wave of reactions on social media, media and political circles, reviving a sensitive discussion about sports, equity and gender identity.
A statement that shakes the networks
The controversy erupted after Musk posted a message on his social media platform X, where he criticized the participation of trans people in women’s sports. “This is not about hate. This is about justice for women who have trained their entire lives to compete on equal terms,” he wrote. He then added: “Biological males should not compete in women’s sports. It’s common sense.”
The post quickly surpassed millions of interactions, dividing users between those who applauded him for “saying what many think” and those who accused him of transphobia.
Support and condemnation: the world responds
Several public figures reacted to the tycoon’s words. Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender Olympic medalist, supported Musk, stating that “protecting women’s sports is not discrimination, it’s respect.” On the other hand, LGBTQ+ rights organizations such as Glaad condemned his message, describing it as “harmful and dangerous to the trans community.”
Several elite athletes were also spoken to. Former Riley Gaines, a frequent critic of the inclusion of trans women in women’s competitions, thanked Musk for his support: “Thank you, Elon, for having the courage to say what many athletes cannot say for fear of being canceled.”
However, soccer star and inclusion activist Megan Rapinoe responded with a sarcastic response: “Maybe Elon should focus on rockets and leave the sport to those who live it.”
A debate that continues to burn
High-performance sport has been grappling with this controversy for years. The inclusion of trans women in women’s events has led to changes in organizations such as Fine (swimming) or World Athletics, which recently restricted their participation in certain events. The issue revolves around the balance between inclusion and competitive equity.
For Musk, the line is clear: Allowing biologically born athletes to compete in women’s sports represents an injustice to women. “This isn’t ideology, this is biology,” he said in another post.
Opportunism or conviction?
Some critics suggest that Elon Musk is using this type of messaging to reinforce his image as a defender of “freedom of expression” and attract conservative sectors, especially in a political context in which his social network X has lost large advertisers and seeks to consolidate a loyal user base.
Others, however, believe his views reflect a genuine concern for the fundamentals of the sport. “It’s not all strategy. Sometimes he just says what he thinks,” said a former Tesla employee who worked closely with him.
The impact on the global conversation
The truth is that, once again, Elon Musk has achieved what he does best: generating conversations. Her ability to put sensitive issues on the public agenda, without filter or political correctness, makes her a figure as admired as the controversy.
While some call for censorship or sanctions, others celebrate that the debate is open. Sport, as a mirror of society, continues to face complex questions with no easy answers.
Conclusion
The phrase “men don’t occur in women’s sports” resonates like a powerful echo in the midst of a world divided between science, identity and rights. Elon Musk, with his direct and provocative style, re-attacking love again and whether we like it or not, has brought to the table a conversation that many institutions prefer to avoid.
Whatever the stance, the truth is that the debate about inclusion in sport is just beginning and with figures like Musk intervening, the discussion promises to be long, intense and media-heavy.
