Simone Biles, the legendary Olympic gymnast with seven gold medals, had a clear message for President Joe Biden just hours after Donald Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States. Biles, who had publicly supported Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, during the election campaign, seemed to express disappointment following Trump’s victory. In a post on social media platform Threads, she made it clear that she was hoping for action from the outgoing president in his final months in office.
On the day after the election, Biles took to social media again, posting a direct and powerful message on X (formerly Twitter). “Mr. Biden, I need you to stand up, straighten your back and make some things shake before your departure. xoxo the women in america,” she wrote, urging Biden to take stronger and more decisive action before his term ended. Her statement, both personal and pointed, suggested a sense of urgency for change, particularly in the realm of women’s rights and social justice, issues that she has frequently spoken out about in the past.
Earlier on Election Day, Biles had posted a series of emotional updates on Threads, expressing her frustration and disappointment with the outcome of the election. One post featured a broken heart emoji and the message, “we deserve better.” This was followed by a comment that read, “I’m SO sorry america,” which seemed to convey her dismay at the state of the nation and the election’s result. Her emotional posts reflected the deep disappointment that many people, particularly those who supported Harris and the Democratic ticket, felt after the election.
Biles’s public comments weren’t just a one-off response to the election results. The seven-time Olympic gold medalist has used her platform in the past to speak out on political and social issues, including matters relating to race and equality. In August of the same year, she made headlines when she appeared to clap back at remarks made by then-President Donald Trump during a June presidential debate. Trump had made controversial statements about migrants, suggesting they were taking “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs” from American workers. In response, Biles posted on X, “I love my black job,” a defiant retort that highlighted her pride in her career as an athlete and her commitment to supporting the Black community. The message was both a declaration of her own success and a critique of Trump’s divisive rhetoric regarding race and immigration.
Biles’s outspoken stance on political issues came as no surprise to many who have followed her career. Known for her trailblazing gymnastics achievements, including dominating the sport with seven Olympic gold medals, Biles has also used her platform to advocate for a wide range of causes, particularly issues related to mental health, sexual abuse, and the treatment of women. Over the years, she has become an influential voice in the world of sports activism, particularly after publicly revealing her own struggles with mental health during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
At the time of the election, Biles had recently wrapped up the final show of the 2024 *Gold Over America Tour*, a nationwide celebration of her career and the achievements of several other prominent U.S. gymnasts. The tour, which was designed to celebrate the sport and empower young athletes, served as a reminder of Biles’s enduring influence and the role she has played in elevating gymnastics to new heights.
Biles’s comments about the election reflect a broader trend of athletes using their platforms to speak out on political and social issues. Whether it’s advocating for racial justice, women’s rights, or mental health awareness, many sports figures, including Biles, have leveraged their fame to draw attention to critical issues affecting society. Her call to action for President Biden may have been a response to the uncertain political climate, but it also underscores her deep commitment to standing up for what she believes in, particularly when it comes to the rights and well-being of women in America.
In the final months of Biden’s presidency, it remains to be seen whether Biles’s message, and the voices of other activists, will spur meaningful action from the administration. However, her public call for change illustrates the growing influence of athletes in shaping the national conversation around social justice and political reform. Biles’s message, both urgent and heartfelt, serves as a reminder of the responsibility that public figures, especially those with large followings, have in using their platforms for change.
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