Legendary USA Olympic gymnast Simone Biles found out the hard way that getting into an argument on the internet is a losing battle. Recently, Biles got into a social media spat with OutKick’s Riley Gaines after the anti-trans activist posted a message belittling a girl’s high school softball team while questioning the gender of one of its athletes. The attack on a minor prompted a fierce defense from Biles, who called Gaines out for being a “straight up sore loser” in a post on X. Gaines rose to fame after she finished fifth in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle swimming championship, tying with Lia Thomas, a transgender woman.
Controversy arose when Thomas was given the fifth-place trophy despite the two swimmers finishing with identical times. However, there was only one fifth-place trophy at the competition to hand out, and Gaines has alleged that she was told that her fifth-place trophy would be sent in the mail. Since then, Gaines has used that incident to launch an all-out attack on trans athletes as one of the leading anti-trans voices in America. This stance led her to recently post what she did on X, and Biles’ differing political opinion led to her response.
Now, another voice has entered the fray. Former Olympic gymnast accuses Simone Biles of mistreatment in scathing statement
MyKayla Skinner, who competed alongside Biles at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, recently released a statement claiming that her teammate “belittled” her while the two were members of the USA Gymnastics team.
Skinner didn’t provide any specific examples of mistreatment, but she compared how she was treated to the comments that Biles has recently made about Gaines. “As an athlete who has dedicated years to a sport, I’ve always believed that true competition should elevate us — not diminish others. That’s why it’s deeply troubling to see Simone Biles publicly label a fellow female athlete a ‘sore loser’ — simply for expressing valid concerns about fairness in women’s sports. Throughout my own career, I endured being belittled, dismissed and ostracized behind the scenes by Simone.”
She concluded her statement be saying that “It’s one thing to disagree. It’s another to use your platform to bully and demean,” while noting that athletes should be lifting each other up and “not tearing one another down for speaking hard truths.”
Simone Biles is no stranger to the spotlight—but recently, that spotlight turned into a heat lamp. In a whirlwind of tweets, TikToks, and Reddit threads, the Olympic icon is facing new accusations that have taken social media by storm. Some are calling her out. Others are fiercely defending her. But what’s really going on?
Let’s unpack the drama, separate fact from fiction, and understand how internet outrage culture is shaping the narrative around one of the most celebrated athletes in history.
The Internet Goes Wild—Simone Biles Caught in the Storm
What Sparked the Controversy?
It all began with a viral tweet. One post accused Biles of “abandoning her fans” and “using mental health as an excuse” after pulling out of events or declining interviews. Within hours, hashtags like #BilesBacklash and #AccountabilityForSimone were trending.
The Accusations Piling Up
From entitlement claims to criticism of her sponsorship deals, the internet lit up with hot takes:
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“She only cares when it benefits her.”
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“Mental health isn’t an excuse to quit.”
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“She’s gotten too full of herself.”
Sounds harsh? That’s because it is.
Simone Biles’ Response – Silence, Then Subtlety
Choosing Silence Over Noise
For the first 24 hours, Simone said nothing. No tweet. No Instagram story. Nothing. And that silence only fueled the fire.
A Subtle Clapback
Then came a quiet, telling message on her Instagram Story:
“Protecting your peace doesn’t require permission.”
Short. Subtle. Powerful. It was Simone’s way of reclaiming the narrative—without feeding the frenzy.
Social Media Reacts—Supporters vs. Critics
The Internet Is Divided
While critics bashed Biles, her supporters clapped back just as hard:
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“She owes nothing to anyone.”
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“Taking care of your mental health is brave, not selfish.”
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“People forget she’s human.”
The Role of Stan Culture
Biles has a massive fanbase. And where there’s fan culture, there’s also toxicity. Some argue that extreme stanning turns even mild criticism into an all-out war.
What Are the Accusations Actually About?
Public Perception vs. Private Reality
Let’s be clear—there’s no legal scandal here. These accusations are mostly emotional takes driven by disappointment, parasocial dynamics, and unrealistic expectations.
Is It Just Misunderstanding?
A lot of the backlash seems to come from confusion:
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Why did she cancel that event appearance?
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Why didn’t she comment on [insert trending issue here]?
But when did not speaking become a crime?
Fame Comes at a Price—Especially for Women in Sports
The Double Standards Are Loud
Male athletes who take breaks are “strategic.” Women? They’re “divas.” Simone’s every move is scrutinized through a different lens.
The Burden of Perfection
Simone didn’t ask to be a role model—but once you’re dubbed the GOAT, every smile, sigh, or silence becomes a statement. And the internet wants a perfect version of her, 24/7.
Mental Health Still Isn’t Taken Seriously Enough
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics Reminder
Remember when Simone stepped back from Olympic events citing “the twisties” and mental health concerns? She was both praised and slammed. That moment revealed how deeply misunderstood athlete mental health still is.
Why This Matters Now
These new accusations recycle the same old stigma: that needing space, rest, or time is a failure. But protecting your mind is a form of discipline—not weakness.
Is This a PR Nightmare or a Wake-Up Call?
Can Brands Still Trust Her Image?
Some trolls have hinted that sponsors may “drop her” over the backlash. But in reality, brands love authenticity—and Simone Biles’ honesty is part of why they support her.
Why Her Brand Will Survive
Let’s not forget: this is a woman with Olympic gold, global impact, and a platform that transcends sports. One social media fallout won’t change that.
The Bigger Picture—What This Says About Us
The Problem Isn’t Simone—It’s Us
Why do we love building people up, just to tear them down? Why do we demand perfection from people who never signed up to be saints?
The Internet Has a Short Memory
Today it’s Simone. Tomorrow it’ll be someone else. But unless we learn to consume fame more responsibly, we’ll keep repeating this toxic cycle.
Simone Biles Still Stands Strong
She’s Been Here Before
This isn’t her first rodeo. From the Larry Nassar scandal to racist trolls and media scrutiny, Biles has faced fire and kept flipping through it.
Why She’s Not Going Anywhere
Love her or hate her, Simone Biles remains a cultural powerhouse. Her legacy isn’t built on public opinion—it’s built on gold medals, fearless choices, and unshakable integrity.
Breaking Down the Accusations—What’s Real and What’s Noise
What’s Real
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Public disappointment over missed appearances
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Some fans feeling ignored or dismissed
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Media outlets amplifying critical voices
What’s Just Noise
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Claims of “faking” mental health struggles
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Accusations of being ungrateful or arrogant
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Conspiracy theories about her silence
What Can We Learn from This Fallout?
1. Stop Putting Celebs on Pedestals
They’re human. They get tired. They have limits.
2. Hold Opinions Lightly
It’s okay to feel disappointed. But don’t confuse feelings with facts.
3. Practice Empathy Online
If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t type it on Twitter.
Conclusion – This Isn’t the End of Simone Biles’ Story
Let’s be real—Simone Biles has weathered tougher storms than a viral tweet thread. This internet fallout? It’s just noise. She’ll keep doing what she does best: showing up, standing tall, and flipping the script on what strength really means.
