Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), is back at the center of controversy after a statement that sparked a heated global debate: “Men do not participate in women’s sports.” His statement sparked a wave of reactions on social networks, in the media and in political circles, reigniting a delicate debate on sports, equity and gender identity.
The controversy arose after a message Musk posted on his social network X, in which he criticized the participation of transgender people in women’s competitions. “This is not about hate. This is about justice for women who train their whole lives to compete on equal terms,” he wrote. He then added: “Biological men should not compete in women’s sports. It’s common sense.”
The post quickly surpassed a million interactions, dividing users between those who applauded her for “saying what many people think” and those who accused her of transphobia.
Several public figures have reacted to the mogul’s words. Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender Olympic medalist, supported Musk, saying that “protecting women’s sports is not discrimination, it’s respect.” On the other hand, LGBTQ+ rights organizations like Glaad condemned his message, calling it “harmful and dangerous to the trans community.”
Several elite athletes also spoke out. Former athlete Riley Gaines, a frequent critic of trans inclusion in women’s competition, thanked Musk for his support: “Thank you, Elon, for having the courage to say what many athletes can’t say for fear of being canceled.”
However, Megan Rapinoe, a football star and activist for inclusion, responded with a tongue-in-cheek response: “Maybe Elon should focus on the rockets and leave the sports to the people who live them.”
High-performance sport has been dealing with this controversy for years. The inclusion of transgender women in women’s competitions has led to changes in organizations such as Fine (swimming) or 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 biologically born athletes to compete in women’s sports is an injustice to women. “This is not ideology, this is biology,” he said in another post.
Some critics suggest that Elon Musk is using these types of messages to bolster his image as a defender of “freedom of expression” and appeal to 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 their views reflect a genuine concern for the fundamental principles 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 truth is that, once again, Elon Musk has achieved his goal: to generate debate. His ability to put sensitive issues on the public agenda, without filters or political corrections, makes him a figure as admired as he is controversial.
While some are calling for censorship or sanctions, others are celebrating the opening of the debate. Sports, a mirror of society, continues to address complex issues without easy answers.
The phrase “men don’t take part in women’s sports” resonates like a powerful echo in a world divided between science, identity and rights. Elon Musk, with his direct and provocative style, has relaunched loving-kindness and, whether we like it or not, has put on the table a debate that many institutions prefer to avoid.
Whatever the position, the truth is that the debate on inclusion in sports, once it begins, and with people like Musk intervening, the discussion promises to be long, intense and media-rich.
