Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has been the subject of much criticism online after she attacked women’s rights advocate and Outkick podcast host Riley Gaines for her physical appearance, apparently to show her support for transgender-identifying male athletes in female sports and spaces.
As highlighted by The Daily Wire, Biles suggested Gaines is the size of a man while attempting to boost “trans” athletes, which was called out for being extremely tone deaf and ironic. Notably, Biles is an outspoken critic of “body shaming.” Further, the gymnast’s comment could be interpreted by LGBT supporters as “transphobic,” since it recognizes general physical differences between males and females, which also undercuts Biles’ support in the first place.
And the subtle hint at “body-shaming” ???? Plzzzz I’m 5’5″ 😂😂😂😂
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 6, 2025
Commentators, athletes, and women’s advocates rushed to Gaines’ defense online.
“I can’t express enough how thankful I am for [Riley Gaines],” Payton McNabb responded to the controversy. “She inspires me every day. I thank God she had the courage to stand up when so many stayed silent. She’s saving women’s sports across the country.”
McNabb was seriously injured by a male player on an opposing high school volleyball team who spiked the ball in her face. She’s since become an advocate for girls and women’s sports and spaces.
Gift Dad an All Access Membership. Use code DAD40 at checkout to save 40%!
“Simone, you could never compare,” McNabb added.
I can’t express enough how thankful I am for @Riley_Gaines_
She inspires me every day. I thank God she had the courage to stand up when so many stayed silent. She’s saving women’s sports across the country.
Simone, you could never compare.
— Payton McNabb (@paytonmcnabb_) June 7, 2025
Olivia Krolczyk, a women’s rights advocate, fought fire with fire.
“I’m 4 inches taller than [Riley Gaines],” she posted, captioning a photo of the pair. “If she’s supposed to bully the men, then who am I supposed to bully? A tree? Lol you’re just mad that you’re not even 5 feet tall. Go back to your dwelling little hobbit.”
I’m 4 inches taller than @Riley_Gaines_, If she’s supposed to bully the men, then who am I supposed to bully? A tree?
Lol you’re just mad that you’re not even 5 feet tall. Go back to your dwelling little hobbit. https://t.co/ylxNMsFSZx pic.twitter.com/hq3TlVLfIR
— Olivia Krolczyk ✞ (@oliviakrolczyk_) June 7, 2025
Krolczyk also highlighted Biles fighting against nasty comments about her own body:
*had a body positivity campaign bc she was bullied for having muscles*
*bullies Riley Gaines for her looks* pic.twitter.com/T2xonUZ3mR
— Olivia Krolczyk ✞ (@oliviakrolczyk_) June 7, 2025
Conservative commentator Guy Benson struck a similar note, posting about Biles being attacked for her body and coming out against the “toxic culture of trolling.”
This you? https://t.co/u4x1qwhU2B pic.twitter.com/CKaCAb2vEl
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) June 7, 2025
Journalist Megyn Kelly said she stands with Gaines and is “ashamed of Simone Biles.”
Same, and I am ashamed of Simone Biles. https://t.co/pcgDVX4R6K
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 7, 2025
Others noted Biles’ fight against a male predator, while supporting males in female spaces, like locker rooms.
Simone Biles was sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar as a child, yet attacks a woman fighting to keep males out of girl’s spaces. This is the absolute state of the woke mind virus. https://t.co/1xfRRLcW3S
— The Redheaded libertarian (@TRHLofficial) June 7, 2025
After condemning Biles for refusing to stand up for girls, Gaines poked fun at the gymnast’s attack on her body in an X video, jokingly telling “Wikipedia” to change her bio, since she’s only five-foot-five.
My height has been settled@Wikipedia please advise https://t.co/Ptn35pyEvh pic.twitter.com/hUfzv10DKS
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 7, 2025
Related: Simone Biles Defends Boys In Girls’ Sports, Picks The Wrong Day To Fight With Riley Gaines