“Simone Biles endured years of attacks, silence, and whispers after being called a ‘national disgrace.’ Now, in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, she’s spoken out with an emotional post that millions hail as courageous and necessary—and others call too far. Did she just redefine sports activism forever?”

The 2021 Wound

Tokyo, 2021. The world’s most decorated gymnast, Simone Biles, withdrew from Olympic events to protect her mental health. Millions applauded her bravery. But not everyone.

Charlie Kirk, conservative commentator, unleashed a tirade. He called her “a shame to the country,” “a selfish quitter,” even “a national disgrace.”

The words burned. And unlike other critics, his attack stuck.

The Silence

For years, Biles said little. She posted about gymnastics, about marriage, about healing. But she never directly addressed Kirk’s comments.

“Why doesn’t she fight back?” people asked.

But Biles had her reasons. Behind closed doors, sources say, she was battling the weight of expectation, the trauma of public scrutiny, and the damage of words replayed endlessly online.

The Death That Changed Everything

In September 2025, Charlie Kirk was assassinated. News of his sudden death ricocheted through political and cultural circles.

While tributes poured in from his supporters, a quieter current ran online: memories of the pain he caused others.

Simone Biles, after years of silence, chose this moment to speak.

Jonathan Owens can't keep up with Simone Biles and she dates a special person thousands of miles away | Marca

The Post

It wasn’t long. But it was devastating.

She posted a photo of herself from Tokyo, head bowed, captioned with raw honesty:

“In 2021, I was called a national disgrace. I cried myself to sleep more nights than I can count. Those words nearly broke me. I stayed silent for years. Not anymore.”

She continued:

“If my story has taught me anything, it’s this: No one gets to define your worth. Not critics. Not politicians. Not even someone with a microphone. I am not a disgrace. I am still here. And I will never apologize for surviving.”

The Reaction

The internet exploded.

Within minutes, hashtags trended worldwide: #BilesSpeaks, #NotADisgrace, #Courage.

Over 10 million likes, 3 million shares, and countless stitches and remixes on TikTok. Celebrities reposted it. Athletes called it “necessary,” “powerful,” “the closure we all needed.”

But not everyone agreed. Critics accused her of “speaking ill of the dead,” of “waiting until he couldn’t respond.”

Fans Call It Courage

To fans, the timing was part of the bravery.

“She carried his words in silence for years,” one fan wrote. “If this was her closure, let her have it.”

Another posted: “This isn’t about revenge. It’s about telling the truth. About finally taking back her power.”

Simone Biles didn't respond to Charlie Kirk's 2021 Olympics comments after his death | Snopes.com

Detractors Call It Too Far

But detractors were just as loud.

“She had her chance in 2021,” one columnist argued. “Why speak now, when he can’t defend himself?”

Others accused her of exploiting his death for attention.

The debate raged: was it catharsis, or cruelty?

The Wider Context

To understand the weight of Biles’ post, you have to understand the context.

For women—especially women of color in sports—criticism isn’t just about performance. It’s about identity. Kirk’s words didn’t just question her gymnastics; they questioned her worth as an American, as a woman, as a Black athlete.

For Biles, the silence wasn’t weakness. It was survival.

The Personal Toll

Insiders close to Biles say Kirk’s attacks haunted her.

“She replayed those words for years,” one friend said. “She wondered if people believed him. It wasn’t just criticism—it was character assassination.”

Her post, then, wasn’t just a clapback. It was therapy.
Charlie Kirk Brands Simone Biles 'Shame to the Country' A... - Newsweek

The Cultural Earthquake

Why did this resonate so widely? Because it touched America’s rawest nerve: who gets to define worth.

Biles reframed the question. She rejected the premise that critics, commentators, or culture warriors decide an athlete’s value. She reclaimed the narrative.

And in doing so, she forced the country to reckon with its obsession with tearing down icons.

What Athletes Are Saying

Other athletes rushed to defend her.

Serena Williams: “Simone’s voice matters. Her timing is her choice. Her healing is her choice.”
Michael Phelps: “I know what it’s like to be crushed by expectations. I stand with her.”

Her post became more than personal—it became a rallying cry for mental health, dignity, and defiance.

What It Means for Sports

This could mark a turning point.

No longer are athletes required to “take it” from pundits. Biles’ clapback suggests a new era where athletes speak on their own terms, in their own time, with no apologies.

And millions are cheering them on.

The Final Question

Was Simone Biles’ post bravery, or a step too far?

Maybe it was both. Maybe it was messy, imperfect, emotional—and exactly what makes it human.

Because courage isn’t always about winning medals. Sometimes, it’s about reclaiming your voice after years of silence.

The Final Image

Picture it: a gymnast once bowed by shame, standing tall at last, her words reverberating louder than any crowd.

“I am not a disgrace. I am still here.”

And with that, Simone Biles didn’t just clap back. She reminded the world what survival looks like.