Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has once again been thrust into the public eye, this time as a central figure in one of Donald Trump’s latest campaign videos.
The 45th US president, who is nearing the end of his heated election campaign against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, recently released a closing ad that critiques the current administration.
In a surprising twist, Khelif’s controversial Olympic victory appears as an example in the ad, which critiques the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to gender and athletics.
The video references several controversial topics, including Khelif’s unexpected victory in the women’s welterweight category at the Olympics.
Khelif, who faced significant backlash this summer over her eligibility in women’s boxing, was previously disqualified from last year’s World Championships after reportedly failing gender eligibility tests.
The Trump ad dramatically lists examples of what it claims has gone “wrong” under the current administration, with footage of Khelif’s hand being raised as Olympic gold medalist, overlaid by the narrator’s line, “Men can beat up women and win medals.”
Trump has been vocal on the issue of gender eligibility in women’s sports, notably referencing Khelif during an interview on The Undertaker’s podcast, Six Feet Under.
In the conversation, Trump criticized Khelif, suggesting her presence in women’s boxing was unfair.
“It’s demeaning to women,” he said, addressing the ex-wrestling star’s daughter, and added, “Women should compete against women. You don’t necessarily want to play against men; it’s okay to say that.”
He went on to recall Khelif’s victory over Italian boxer Angela Carini in Paris, suggesting the match was imbalanced.
“That Italian girl took a punch like I’d never seen. He [Khelif] goes in with another left jab, and she realized, ‘There’s no way I can win.'”
Khelif’s Olympic success has been divisive, with backlash intensifying despite Khelif’s assertion that she was born female.
Critics have expressed concern
Her father even presented her birth certificate to validate her gender, though critics have continued to express concern over her participation.
Following the Games, Khelif took aim at Trump supporter and X owner Elon Musk, accusing him of inciting a “cruel campaign” against her.
Musk, along with Trump, has been named in a cyberbullying lawsuit filed by Khelif, after Musk shared posts suggesting men should be removed from women’s sports, referencing Khelif’s Olympic bout with Carini.
As the debate around gender and sports persists, Khelif is gearing up to turn professional, ready to take on new challenges in the boxing world.
While the controversy surrounding her Olympic journey remains a focal point in both sports and political discourse, Khelif’s determination to succeed on the professional stage demonstrates her resilience amidst ongoing public scrutiny.
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