JK Rowling, Elon Musk Sued for Online Hate Against Olympic Winner Imane Khelif

JK Rowling often finds herself at the center of controversy, and this time it involves Algerian boxer and newly crowned champion Imane Khelif, who recently won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Following her victory, several celebrities, including Rowling and Elon Musk, were named in a criminal complaint for alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment.”

According to a report by Variety, Nabil Boudi, Khelif’s Paris-based attorney, confirmed that both Musk and Rowling were mentioned in the complaint due to online hate directed at the Olympic champion.

The lawsuit was filed against the platform X (formerly Twitter), which under French law means it was filed against unknown individuals. This allows the prosecution to investigate all persons involved, including those who may have posted hateful messages anonymously, Boudi explained. The complaint also highlights controversial public figures, suggesting that even celebrities like Donald Trump, who posted against Khelif’s victory on X, could be questioned.

Imane Khelif secured the Olympic gold medal in the women’s 66-kilogram boxing category. Her participation and subsequent win sparked debate, particularly around gender eligibility. Despite being born female, not identifying as transgender or intersex, and having the backing of the International Olympic Committee, which stated “scientifically, this is not a man fighting a woman,” Khelif was accused by some of cheating.

Criticism of Khelif intensified online, with many calling her ineligible because she appeared “manly” and more “masculine” than her competitors. The controversy grew after Italy’s Angela Carini withdrew from her Round of 16 match against Khelif after just 46 seconds, claiming she had “never been hit so hard” in her life.

JK Rowling contributed to the controversy by posting on X a picture from Khelif’s fight with Carini, accusing Khelif of being a man “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.” Rowling’s comments sparked a wave of criticism, with many accusing her of seeking out controversies. In response, Rowling posted again on X, saying, “For the record, bombarding me with pictures of athletic women to ‘teach’ me that women don’t all look like Barbie is like spamming me with pics of differently-shaped potatoes to prove rocks are edible. I can still see the difference and you look frankly bonkers.”

Elon Musk also weighed in, sharing a post from swimmer Riley Gaines that stated, “men don’t belong in women’s sports,” which Musk endorsed by writing, “Absolutely.” Meanwhile, Trump shared a post with a picture from Khelif’s fight, asserting, “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”

Khelif’s attorney noted that while the lawsuit was filed in France, it could potentially target individuals overseas. He pointed out that the French prosecutor’s office for combating online hate speech has the ability to request mutual legal assistance from other countries, broadening the scope of the investigation.