Simone Biles had the audacity to say that Riley Gaines looks like a man, and the way Riley Gaines responded left everyone stunned.

What Biles said: On June 6–7, Simone Biles took to X (formerly Twitter) in response to Riley Gaines commenting on a Minnesota high school softball team with a transgender pitcher. Biles called Gaines “truly sick” and a “sore loser,” urging her to “bull[y] someone your own size, which would ironically be a male”

Harsh tone: She also said Gaines should uplift the trans community or push for a new “transgender category IN ALL sports.” The “ironic” remark about bullying a male was a jab at Gaines herself

🗣️ Gaines Fires Back

Not personal pain: Gaines responded that Biles’ attack didn’t hurt—she knows who she is and what she stands for +12+12+12.

Defense of fairness: Gaines says it’s not her job—or any woman’s—to make space for males in women’s sports. Biles “sold out” female athletes, she claims .

Public backlash: Gaines points out Biles took heavy criticism online and even from other athletes for what many see as body-shaming and a low blow +7+7+7.

💬 Voices from Reddit

Over on Reddit, users jumped in, with reactions like:

“Simone Biles told Riley Gaines she looks like a man” +12+12+12

And critiques like:

“The projection is strong with this one.”
“Has she seen a mirror?”

The social media tone is fierce—and the debate only stoked the fire.

🔍 Bottom Line

Was Biles calling Gaines “a man”? Not exactly. It was a snarky comment suggesting if Gaines wants to “bully someone her own size,” that would be a male—this was meant as a sarcastic critique, not a direct body insult.

Misinterpretation likely: Many observers reframed Biles’ words into more personal body-shaming than she probably intended.

The flashpoint: This heated exchange is really about the larger fight over transgender athletes in women’s sports—a deeply polarizing cultural and sporting issue.