Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter), is back in the spotlight after a statement that sparked a heated global debate: “Men don’t play women’s sports.” His statement sparked a wave of reactions on social media, in the media, and in political circles, reviving a sensitive debate about 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 trans people in women’s competitions. “This is not about hate. This is about justice for women who have trained their whole 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 garnered millions of interactions, dividing users between those who applauded him for “saying what many people think” and those who accused him 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 were also contacted. Former Riley Gaines, often critical of the inclusion of trans women 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, soccer star and inclusion activist Megan Rapinoe responded with a sarcastic comment: “Maybe Elon should focus on rockets and leave the sports to the people who play them.”
High-performance sport has been grappling with this controversy for years. The inclusion of trans 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.
Musk’s line is clear: Allowing biologically born athletes to compete in women’s sports is 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 message to strengthen 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 his 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 succeeded in doing what he does best: generating conversations. His ability to bring sensitive issues to the public agenda, without filters or political correctness, makes him a figure as admired as he is controversial.
While some are calling for censorship or sanctions, others are celebrating the fact that the debate is open. Sport, as a mirror of society, continues to pose complex questions, without easy answers.
The phrase “men do not exist 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, returns to criticize love and, whether we like it or not, he has brought to the table a debate that many institutions prefer to avoid.
Whatever the position, the truth is that the debate on inclusion in sports is just beginning and, with the intervention of figures like Musk, the discussion promises to be long, intense and full of media ideas.
