Donald Trump derides Imane Khelif after Olympic gold, claims she 'evolved from man to a woman'

BOZEMAN, MONTANA: Former President Donald Trump jeered at Algerian boxer Imane Khelif after the contentious Olympic boxer's gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Games, amid recent scrutiny over her gender eligibility.

Khelif defeated Yang Liu of China in the women's final welterweight division, displaying the best performance of her career at the Roland Garros on Friday, August 9.

However, later the day, the GOP presidential nominee taunted the Olympic gold medalist during his campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana, calling her a "he."

What did Trump say about Imane Khelif's Olympic gold medal victory?

"Who wants men to participate in women's sports? I would like to congratulate the young woman who has evolved from a man to a woman. He... She won gold," Trump said of Khelif, according to Daily Mail.

The ex-president's remarks about the boxer's gender were incorrect because she was assigned female at birth and is not transgender.

However, a test conducted last year under the International Boxing Association (IBA) suggested that she possesses male XY chromosomes. The organization has since largely avoided addressing queries about the details of the test's process.

"What about the woman, the beautiful woman from Italy? She went in there and had no idea what was going on. She's a very good boxer - but only against other women," the real estate mogul continued, taunting Khelif and referring to Italian boxer Angela Carini.

Carini exited her fight with the Algerian opponent just 46 seconds in after being struck on the nose, which she described as very hard.

Acting out the blow and referring to Khelif as "he," Trump said, "He did this. She immediately said, 'Wow, nobody has ever hit me that hard.' Then he does it again, and she immediately gives up."

Besides Trump, media personality Megyn Kelly also criticized Khelif's victory in Paris, writing on X (formerly Twitter), "Holy s**t. They really did it. They gave the women's gold medal to a MALE BOXER. I can't with this s**t."

Addressing the media after her Olympic victory and before Trump's Montana speech, Khelif said that being an Olympic champion and gold medalist had been her dream for eight years.

She added that the success gave a "special taste" due to the attacks on her gender, hoping similar attacks would not be a part of future Olympics.

"I'm fully qualified to take part in this competition. I'm a woman like any other woman. I was born as a woman, I live as a woman, and I am qualified," the Olympian continued.

The boxer stated that the gold medal was a "single message" to the IBA that hates her, emphasizing her dignity and honor take precedence over everything else.

Internet slams Trump for taunting Imane Khelif's Olympic gold medal

Netizens labeled Donald Trump a "vile man" for calling Khelif "he" after her Olympic gold medal. Reminding the former president that the boxer was a woman, many claimed she should sue him.

"Vile man. She’s a woman," a user wrote.

"Ah, the special Trump magic of misinformation mixed with bigotry. It really is the chocolate and peanut butter of MAGA," another remarked.

"He's lying through his teeth as usual. Imane Kherif was assigned female at birth, grew up as a woman, and fought as a woman. There was no 'transition.' She is not transsexual," added a user.

"Trump represents what’s worse and depraved in our society," read another response.

"This is a clearly false and malicious statement. She should sue him. He's probably judgment proof these days, though," someone else wrote. [sic]

"Division, hate, and lies. The only things this 'man' is good at," said an outraged individual.

"Trump is so stupid that he’s even bad at being transphobic. A skill that most people in his party have already mastered," another user chimed in.

"He's disgusting. Once he believes a lie, no amount of debunking will stop him from repeating the lie," read a remark.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.