The Resurgence of Simone Biles: Silence, Courage, and the Digital Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Controversy

In the fast-paced world of social media and elite sports, where every word can trigger a cultural earthquake, the story of Simone Biles and her relationship with criticism has resurfaced like a ghost from the past. Four years ago, during the peak of the Tokyo Olympics, the American gymnast, one of the greatest athletes in history, made a courageous decision to prioritize her mental health by withdrawing from the final events. This act of vulnerability was met with both praise for her bravery and a wave of fierce backlash.

At that time, Biles was already a household name, celebrated for her extraordinary achievements and dominance in gymnastics. However, her decision to step back from competition due to mental health concerns ignited a firestorm of criticism. Among her most vocal detractors was Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA. He publicly labeled Biles a “national disgrace,” a “selfish sociopath,” and “immature.” In his podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” he even suggested that Biles had suffered sexual abuse, an insensitive allusion to her testimony against former Olympic doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted of abusing over 160 victims. Kirk went on to accuse Biles of weakening an entire generation of gymnasts by “falling apart” under pressure, stating, “If you’re not ready for the big moment, we have thousands of young gymnasts who would love to take your place.” His comments not only targeted Biles personally but also reflected a broader societal issue regarding the stigma surrounding mental health.

Simone Biles, who boasts 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, chose silence in the face of this criticism. She did not respond to Kirk and faced trolling for her decision. This silence, however, was not a sign of weakness; rather, it represented a profound commitment to her own mental health and well-being. Biles understood that prioritizing her mental state was essential for her long-term success and happiness, a lesson that resonates with many in today’s high-pressure environment.

In the years that followed, Biles focused on her recovery and personal growth. Her journey culminated in a triumphant return to gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Championships, where she achieved remarkable milestones, solidifying her legacy as a historical figure in sports. Her quiet resilience became a lesson in prioritizing mental health, showing that true strength lies in addressing one’s well-being rather than succumbing to the pressures of fame. Millions of fans viewed her as a symbol of empowerment and mental fortitude, even as the ecosystem of critics persisted online.

In September 2025, Charlie Kirk, at the age of 31, became embroiled in a political investigation. His return to the American spotlight was marked by a clash with “globalism” and the perceived moral decay of the United States. On September 18, during an event at Utah Valley University, he faced significant backlash during a discussion. His death shocked the nation and unleashed a whirlwind of reactions, from tributes by Republican figures to speculation about political motivations behind his demise.

Amidst the turmoil, rumors circulated that a connection could be drawn between Kirk’s journey and Biles. A Facebook post, which garnered 26,000 views and 169,000 responses, claimed that Simone had finally broken her silence with a “public and emotional” message on her personal blog. The fictional text described how Kirk had plunged her into a “worse personal state,” portraying her prioritization of mental health as a betrayal of national pride. “I waited years to say my last words,” Biles supposedly wrote, concluding with a poetic reflection on true strength. Millions lauded her as making “the most courageous and necessary response in the history of being marginalized,” a “clapback” that united activism and gymnastics in a moment of collective catharsis.

This announcement spread rapidly across platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), with hashtags such as #BilesVsKirk and #FinalWord accumulating millions of views. Athletes like Jordan Chiles and influencers began to rally around the cause, while conservative voices in the community expressed divided opinions: some viewed it as a struggle for equality, while others saw it as a mere spectacle. However, fact-checkers from Snopes and Hindustan Times confirmed that the entire narrative was fabricated. No blog existed, and Biles had not commented on Kirk’s death. The announcement was a product of AI, reflecting the growing trend of misinformation circulating across social media platforms after the tragedy, including the manipulation of celebrity narratives.

While Biles remained silent, focusing on life after the Olympics—including her participation in events, her marriage to NFL player Jonathan Owens, and her advocacy against abuse—her “response” was not in words but in living fully. She demonstrated that true victory lies in indifference to the critics. By choosing to prioritize her mental health and well-being, Biles set a powerful example for athletes and individuals alike, reminding everyone that it is okay to step back and take care of oneself.

In contrast, the media frenzy surrounding Kirk’s death brought Elon Musk, the South African mogul behind Tesla and SpaceX, into the spotlight. Known for his unpredictable interventions on X, Musk sent a direct message to Simone Biles that left his 200 million followers astonished. It contained just five words: “You are stronger than him.” The message, which arrived without apparent context, carried a nuclear effect. Accompanied by a photo of Biles on the Paris podium, Musk’s words seemed to align him with Kirk’s friends, positioning him—often a controversial figure in conservative circles—as an ally to an athlete.

“In a world of noise, Simone’s silence is deafening. I respect that,” he added in a subsequent thread, defending his platform against accusations of amplifying fake news. The immediate reactions were polarized. Biles’ fans flooded the comment sections with hearts and memes, hailing Musk as a “knight in shining armor” and viewing the moment as a rare opportunity to redeem a man who had faced criticism from Biles in the past. Others, however, labeled Musk’s gesture as opportunistic: “Elon supporting a ‘weak’ mind? Where’s the catch?” Political figures, including Democratic Senator Cory Booker, criticized the toxic environment surrounding Kirk, while others in the Republican bandwagon likened Kirk to Ben Shapiro, using terms like “betrayal.”

Musk, true to form, did not back down, responding to a troll with an emoji, implying that his message was about “innovative resilience,” not politics. This episode encapsulates the real era: a collision of sports, death, and digital memes where truth blurs in algorithms. Biles, with her eternal silence, emerges as a moral victor, illustrating that the most powerful “last words” are often those left unspoken. Meanwhile, Musk’s attempt to create something meaningful humanized—if only for a moment—a titan of technology.

In a year marked by division, this story invites us to pause: what would we say on the Final podium? For Simone, the answer is nothing. Just the perfect salt of silence. Through her actions, she has shown that true strength is found not only in competition but also in the courage to prioritize one’s mental health and well-being above all else.