Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), has returned to the center of controversy after a statement that sparked a heated global debate: “Men don’t participate in women’s sports.” His statement sparked a wave of reactions on social media, the media, and political circles, reigniting a sensitive debate about sports, equity, and gender identity.
The controversy erupted after a message Musk posted on his social media platform, X, criticizing the participation of transgender people in women’s competitions. “This isn’t hate. This is justice for women who train their entire lives to compete on equal terms,” he wrote. He added: “Biological males shouldn’t compete in women’s sports. It’s common sense.”
The post quickly surpassed millions of interactions, dividing users between those who applauded her for “saying what many think” and those who accused her of transphobia.
Several public figures reacted to the mogul’s words. Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender Olympic medalist, supported Musk, saying that “protecting women’s sports isn’t discrimination, it’s respect.” On the other hand, LGBTQ+ rights organizations, who were just as happy, condemned his message, calling it “harmful and dangerous to the trans community.”
Several elite athletes also took the floor. Former athlete 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 can’t say for fear of being excluded.”
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.”
High-performance sport has faced this controversy for years. The inclusion of trans women in women’s events has led to changes in organizations such as the FIM (swimming) and World Athletics, which recently limited their participation in some events. The issue revolves around the balance between inclusion and competitive equity.
For Musk, the line is clear: allowing organically born athletes to compete in women’s sports represents an injustice to women. “This isn’t ideology, it’s biology,” he said in another post.
Some critics suggest that Elon Musk is using this type of messaging to strengthen his image as a defender of “free speech” and attract conservative sectors, especially in a political context in which his social network X has lost major advertisers and is trying to consolidate a loyal user base.
Others, however, believe his opinions reflect a genuine concern for the sport’s fundamental principles. “It’s not all strategy. Sometimes he just says what he thinks,” said a former Tesla employee who worked closely with him.
The truth is that, once again, Elon Musk has achieved his goal: generating debate. His ability to put sensitive topics on the public agenda, without filters or political corrections, makes him a figure as admired as he is controversial.
While some call for censorship or sanctions, others celebrate the opening of the debate. Sport, a mirror of society, continues to face unparalleled complex issues.
The phrase “Men don’t participate in women’s sports” resonates powerfully in a world divided between science, identity, and rights. Elon Musk, with his direct and provocative style, has revived love and, whether we like it or not, brought to the table a debate that many institutions prefer to avoid.
Whatever the position, the truth is that the debate about inclusion in sports, once it begins, and with figures like Musk intervening, the discussion promises to be long, intense and media-heavy.
