In a bold and controversial statement that has gone viral, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele voiced strong opposition to the inclusion of biological men in women’s sports, calling it “violence.”
The remark was made in response to the growing global debate over transgender athletes competing in female sports categories, especially in high-contact sports like boxing.
“Do you allow men to play in women’s sports? Do you allow men to box your women?”
@nayibbukele: “That’s violence.”
A follow-up statement from a source tagged as @POTUS added fuel to the fire:
“That’s abuse of a woman… but we have people that fight to the death because they think men should be able to play in women’s sports.”
While it remains unclear whether the @POTUS statement is official or paraphrased, the conversation has stirred intense online debate, with many applauding Bukele’s stance and others criticizing it as exclusionary.
The Global Divide
Supporters of Bukele’s view argue that allowing biological males to compete against females in sports like boxing or MMA puts women at physical risk, while others argue that gender identity should be respected in all aspects of society, including athletics.
.@POTUS: “Do you allow men to play in women’s sports? Do you allow men to box your women?”@nayibbukele: “That’s violence.”@POTUS: “That’s abuse of a woman… but we have people that fight to the death because they think men should be able to play in women’s sports.” pic.twitter.com/I2CVL5zWOR
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 14, 2025
The issue continues to divide policymakers, sports bodies, and the public across the globe, as more organizations reevaluate rules around transgender inclusion in sports.
Social Media Reacts
Social media has exploded with reactions, both in support and against the statements. Hashtags like #ProtectWomensSports, #TransRights, and #Bukele are trending across platforms.
As the world grapples with finding a balance between inclusion and fairness, Bukele’s words have brought the spotlight back to one of the most contentious debates in modern sports.
