Celebrities and athletes respond to the Simone Biles, Riley Gaines Feud

Debate on -lein about the inclusion of trans athletes in sports between Simone Biles and a former college swimmer Riley gaines Gained responses from every corner of the sports landscape.

The back and forth through social media began on Friday, June 6, when Gaines, 25, claimed that Minnesota High School softball team had won the state championship because their “star player was a boy.”

Biles, 28, responded, “You’re really sick, all of this campaigning because you lost race. Immediately losing a loser. You should be elevating the trans community and maybe find a way to make sports inclusive or create a new avenue where Traws feels safe in sport. Perhaps there is a transgender category in all sports !!

GAINES, who now work for Overpowerhas become an ardent advocate for excluding trans women from competing in Women’s Sport. In 2022, while a swimmer at Kentucky University, Gaines tied for 5th place in a race that included Lia Thomasthe first -open woman in the NCAA women’s department.

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Related: Simone Biles slams ‘sick’ transphobic comments about student athletes

Simone Biles went face to face with political activist Riley Gaines after the former competitive navigator claimed he commented on transgender athletes playing sports. Outkick Podcaster Gaines, 25, re -posted Minnesota Provincial High School League on Friday, June 6, x uploaded for winning a softball tournament. “Comments off Lol,” Gaines wrote on Friday. “To be expected when your (…)

Things got worse on Friday, when Parallel Gaines drew between Trans athletes and a former US team and guilty childhaller Larry Nassar.

In 2016, Nassar was arrested and accused of possessing children’s pornography, of which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 years. Nassar was also accused of several counts of criminal sexual misconduct, including two charges involving women aged 13 to 15 and one with a child under 13. He promised guilty and was sentenced to 40 to 175 in prison.

More than 60 women gave the impact statements of victims and accused more than 260 Nassar of sexual abuse. In 2018, Biles came on as a Nassar victim.

Biles testified before the United States Parliament in 2021, claiming that the FBI had boted the investigation into Nassar and, as a result, allowed the abuse to continue.

Gaines posted a video of Biles’ evidence through X on Friday, writing: “Simone Biles when she had to suffer a predatory man vs Simone Biles when other women have to suffer predatory men,” trying to connect Nassar Abuse with young athletes sharing space with a trans.

Biles apologized on Tuesday, June 10, saying she regretted doing things “personal” with Gaines. (In post through X on Friday, Biles called on Caines to “bully someone your own size, which would be ironic.”)

“I have always believed that equity and competitive inclusivity are vital in sport,” Biles wrote. “The current system does not adequately balance these important principles, which often lead to frustration and heated exchanges, and did not help me come in person with Riley, which I apologize for.”

Biles continued, “These are sensitive, complex issues that I don’t really have the answers or answers, but I think it starts with empathy and respect.”

Riley Gaines defends reference to Larry Nassar in Simone Biles' argument standing as I said


Related: Riley Gaines defends directing Larry Nassar in Simone Biles argument

Riley Gaines defended Simone Biles’ sexual abuse history in the hands of the former USA and the guilty child predator Larry Nassar in their debate about the inclusion of trans athletes in sport. Gaines, 25, appeared on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” podcast on Tuesday, June 10, where Smith, 57, asked the former university (…)

Gaines responded briefly, saying she received Biles’ apology for the “personal attacks.”

“I know she knows how this feels,” wrote Gaines through X. “She’s the biggest female gymnast ever. There are a couple of things.

Gaines added, “Women’s sports cannot be used as an excuse for girls to centralize feelings and validation of men and boys. I welcome you to the battle to support fair and future sports for female athletes. Little girls deserve the same shot to achieve you had.”

Keep reading to see how celebrities and sports members have responded to the debate about Biles and Gaines.

Stephen A. Smith

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Stephen A. Smith attends Disney Upfront 2025 at the Javits Center on May 13, 2025 in New York City. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

ESPN personality trying to take both sides of the debateFirst criticizes Gaines for calling Biles’ history of sexual abuse.

“Respectfully, Gaines I was with you until that last quote,” Smith, 57, said on Monday, June 9, on her podcast, “The Stephen A. Smith Show.” “Respectfully, that goes a little too far. Talking about transgender women competing in sport in one issue. Using a man like Larry Nassar – one of the most contemptible human beings we have ever witnessed on this earth who were molested and abusing many women, many gymnasts, including Biles – to take all the mixture.”

Smith continued, “You could have made your argument without going that far. No matter what Simone Biles told you, how disagreeing with you on your site, could not guarantee you to go that far. You certainly do not suggest that it is right for her to be mested. You certainly do not suggest that it is right for her to be abused. So why you would say something like that.”

However, Smith pivoted to explain that he mainly agreed with Gaines’ general argument about the inclusion of trans athletes.

“The reality is that it is incompatible with women in the eyes of many people who transfer to women can compete in women’s sport,” argued Smith.

He added, “There’s a wealth of women out there who is entitled to feel the way Riley Gaines feels, Simone Biles. Now whether it’s okay for me or someone else to say, it’s a different argument.”

Smith welcomed Gaines as a guest on her podcast on Tuesday, where Gaines’ general debate called “very, very, very valid.”

“First of all, (it’s) your personal experience,” Smith told Gaines. “Secondly, you are a woman. I am not. So when you talk about what is offensive to you, one of the things I have a problem with – especially with people on Capitol Hill – is when men try to tell women about their experiences.”

Katie nolan

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Katie Nolan is involved in the insugural jeopardy inside! Live event in Edge at Hudson Yards on April 12, 2024 in New York City. Roy Rochlin/Getty images for Edge in Hudson Yards

The journalist who won Emmy and former ESPN host of Gaines’s “crazy” point of view Episode Tuesday, June 10, from her podcast, “Casuals.”

“They think a transgender athlete in a locker room would force every other girl on that team to be naked in front of a transgender athlete,” said Nolan, 38. “It’s such a leap of thing that could happen, as is any argument that anyone makes passionate against trans transgressed athletes.”

“Trans women are not men. At

Nolan Gaines criticized for “attacking a very malicious community.”

“I don’t know how you go to sleep at night, talking the way you do about kids,” added Nolan.

Sam Phillips

Phillips, a male gymnast at the University of Illinois, promoted Biles’ capabilities in his defense of the 11-time Olympic medal winner.

“This entire battle between Riley and Simone is unrivaled because of the basis of the right attack is that it would lose medals in the men’s gym category when it actually stole gold from many of the best male floor workers and a vault. So their base is lacking,” wrote Phillips By x on Friday.

Phillips said he was forced to migrate the responses to his job.

“Nothing to argue for,” write. “You are here to fight and insight of violence. Goodbye.”

Jonathan Owens

Husband Biles, Security to the Chicago Bears, He showed his wife’s support on Tuesday.

Owens, 29, shared Biles’ apology through his Instagram story and made comments with three Calon Gwyn emojis.

Bush Sophia

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Sophia Bush attends the American Ballet Theater Spring Gala 2025 at Cipriani South Street on May 28, 2025 in New York City. John Nagion/Wirimage

The actress argued that Vitriol Gaines towards Biles was rooted in the swimmer’s own athletic aspirations.

“She can’t come over she was never that good – she would never be a champion like you – so she has to make her another’s fault,” Bush, 42, wrote By x on Friday. “It’s not that difficult. Me? I’m asthmatically he can’t keep up for shit. And I know it. Nbd. Not my call. Hi? Never set above 5th, okay ?? But I guess it’s 1% of the populations fault and not just the fact that it’s not that fast? K. sure. Makes complete sense 🫠.”

Danica Patrick

The former car driver decided to measure the race, supporting Gaines and his “common sense.”

“Protecting men in women’s sport is the waking mind virus and/or another issue that requires therapy,” Patrick, 43, shared through his Instagram story on Friday. “Either way, it’s so unreasonable.”

Bryn Jemele

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Jemele Hill is attending the NAACP FYC Power 10 event at Hollywood Hollywood on December 06, 2024 in Hollywood, California. Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Starz

The journalist replied to one of the Jobs of Gaines, calling Biles “a much better human being than you will ever.”

“You are a trash person who can’t stop intimidation of a group of people for your own earnings,” wrote Hill, 49, By x On Sunday, June 8. “Sexual abuse armor is disgusting and shows that you have no lack of integrity, honor and decency.” I promise you will need the compassion you have one day.

If you or someone you know have sexually assaulted on you, please contact the National Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-656-Hope (4673).

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