Donald Trump, Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling named in Olympic boxer Imane Khelif's cyberbullying lawsuit

Three public figures are subjects of the ongoing investigation stemming from the harassment complaint lodged by Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif.

Khelif's attorney, Nabil Boudi, told Variety that a lawsuit was filed against X. French law allows for lawsuits against unknown people, meaning prosecutors have the power to investigate all potential suspects, including those who harass online.

Boudi added that author J. K. Rowling, former US President Donald Trump, and businessman Elon Musk were mentioned in the body of Khelif's complaint.

“J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” he said, adding that Trump also tweeted. “So whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”

In one of Rowling's posts on X, she shared a picture of Khelif, whom she accused of being a man, and Italian boxer Angela Carini, saying the former was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head.” She also called the Olympics a "misogynist sporting establishment."

Musk reposted swimmer Riley Gaines' post on X that said “Men don’t belong in women’s sports.” He captioned it: “Absolutely.”

Meanwhile, Trump shared Khelif's picture from the fight with Carini, and said he will "keep men out of women's sports."

Boudi said that they hope the "prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary."

"If the case goes to court, they will stand trial," he added.

The Paris-based attorney also noted that while the lawsuit was filed in France, "it could target personalities overseas," explaining that "the prosecutor’s office for combating online hate speech has the possibility to make requests for mutual legal assistance with other countries."

He further stated that apologies would not alter the course of the investigation.

"The lawsuit is filed and the facts remain," he said.

Khelif on Aug. 1 beat Carini in 46 seconds in the women’s 66-kilogram boxing competition, leaving the Italian boxer with a badly hurt nose.

International Boxing Association's president Umar Kremlev claimed at a press conference that Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, had undergone "genetic testing that shows that these are men."

According to the IOC website, Khelif was disqualified from the IBA's 2023 world championships after "elevated levels of testosterone failed to meet the eligibility criteria."

Although born female and not transgender or intersex, and with the IOC affirming she was not competing against men, Khelif received hate from the internet, with some making false accusations against the Algerian boxer. 

She eventually won the gold medal last Aug. 9, defeating China's Yang Liu in the women's 66kg final via unanimous decision.

"I'm very happy. For eight years this has been my dream and I'm now the Olympic champion and gold medallist," said Khelif, 25. "I've worked for eight years, no sleep, eight years tired. Now I'm Olympic champion."