JK Rowling and Elon Musk Named in Lawsuit Over Cyberbullying of Olympic Champion

High-profile Figures Accused of Fueling Online Hate Against Boxer Imane Khelif

Algerian boxer and Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif has filed a criminal complaint against X, alleging “aggravated cyber harassment.” The lawsuit, filed with French authorities, names high-profile figures J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump as potential targets of the investigation.

Khelif, who faced intense scrutiny over her gender eligibility during the Paris Olympics, was subjected to a barrage of online abuse, including from prominent social media users. Rowling, Musk, and Trump are accused of amplifying the hate by sharing misleading information and inflammatory comments about the athlete.

Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, told Variety that the complaint was filed against X as a legal mechanism to allow for a wide-ranging investigation into the individuals responsible for the harassment. While the lawsuit specifically mentions Rowling and Musk, Boudi indicated that Trump’s public comments on the matter will also be examined.

The case has sparked a broader conversation about the role of social media platforms in protecting users from online harassment and the impact of influential figures on public discourse.