‘I love my Black job’: Gymnast Simone Biles knocks Trump after Olympic gold
Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles has redefined her sport and its vocabulary, and now she’s taking on former US President Donald Trump’s controversial comments about “Black jobs.”
Biles, the 27-year-old American star, made a pointed remark on social media following her gold medal win in the women’s gymnastics all-around final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a post on X, she tweeted, “I love my black job,” quote-tweeting a post that called her “the GOAT” and said “winning Gold medals and dominating gymnastics is her black job.”
The tweet was seen as a clapback to Trump’s recent assertions about migrants taking “Black jobs” in the United States.
NBA elite and Team USA captain LeBron James also joined the conversation, writing “Black” followed by a goat emoji and heart emoji in response to Biles’ tweet.
The exchange not-so-subtly alluded to Trump’s repeated use of the phrase, which has sparked controversy and criticism for stoking fears about immigration and reinforcing racial stereotypes.
Trump’s comment, which he first made during the first presidential debate against Joe Biden, has been met with widespread pushback. Many have questioned what a “Black job” is supposed to be, accusing Trump of leaning into stereotypes about the type of work Black people do.
Despite the backlash, Trump has continued to use the phrase at his rallies and, most recently, during his appearance before the National Association of Black Journalists.
When asked to define a “Black job,” Trump responded, “A Black job is anybody that has a job. That’s what it is.” He also claimed that there is an “invasion” of people coming into the country, and that “the Black population is affected most by that.”
However, there are no racial requirements for employment in the US, and Black people hold a wide range of jobs, from Vice President to Olympic gold-winning gymnast.
With five eponymous skills and a more decorated record than any other gymnast in history, Biles is widely considered the greatest of all time in her sport. She staged a stunning comeback this Olympics, winning two gold medals and bringing her total to six. She became the first US gymnast in history to win two all-around golds, having also taken home the top prize in 2016.