‘I love my Black job’: Simone Biles takes jab at Donald Trump’s debate comment

Olympic “GOAT” Simone Biles took a break from making history at the 2024 Paris Olympics to take a jab at former President Donald Trump, who during a debate in June referred to occupations held by Black people as “Black jobs.”  The 27-year-old Houston, Texas native, who has already won two gold medals in Paris, replied to an X post shared by singer Ricky Davila.  “Simone Biles being the GOAT, winning Gold medals and dominating gymnastics is her black job,” Davila wrote on Thursday.  In response, Biles’ X post on Friday morning said, “I love my black job.”

Biles’ comment pokes fun at a moment from the June 27 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Trump. The Republican presidential nominee made the “Black jobs” remark while explaining his thoughts on immigrants’ impact on the U.S. economy.

“They’re taking Black jobs now and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people,” Trump said during the debate. “They’re taking Black jobs, and they’re taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.”

I love my black job 🖤 https://t.co/c5wPc6xOY3

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 2, 2024

The comment was criticized after the debate, as some questioned what occupations would qualify as a “Black job.”  “What is a Black job? I don’t know where he got that from unless he’s taking it all the way back to slavery because you know the only 100% Black job in this country was back during slavery time,” Omarosa Manigault Newman, who previously worked in Trump’s office, told TMZ after the debate. “The Black and Hispanic community are not monolithic.”

‘And we all love you’

Biles’ “Black job” post received support from U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Davila and thousands of commenters.  Crockett, who has served as the U.S. representative from Texas’s 30th congressional district since 2023, commented on Biles’ X post saying, “And BABY GIRL, you are good at it! Sooooo damn proud!”  Davila also commented on Biles’ post, saying “And we all love you.”  Biles’ X post already has over 614,000 likes, 73,000 reposts and 8,500 comments as of midday Friday.

What is a ‘Black job?’

While at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention this week in Chicago, after repeating the line that immigrants are taking “Black jobs,” Trump defined the term as “anybody that has a job.”  “I will tell you that coming from the border are millions and millions of people that happen to be taking Black jobs,” Trump said.  “What exactly is a ‘Black job,’ sir,” ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott questioned Trump in a follow-up.  “A Black job is anybody that has a job,” Trump responded, garnering laughter from the audience.

Simone Biles’ GOAT necklace

Hours before sharing the “Black jobs” X post, social media users could not stop talking about a diamond-studded goat pendant Biles wore Thursday night.  “My GOAT necklace is just kind of an ode because some people love it and some people hate it, so it’s like the best of both worlds,” Biles said at Bercy Arena. “I was like, ‘OK, if it goes well, we’ll wear the GOAT necklace. I know people will go crazy over it.'”

The goat pendant has 546 diamonds, according to an Instagram post by the California jewelry company that made it at Biles’ request.  “Crafted with meticulous precision, this piece reflects her dedication, perseverance, and the spirit that has inspired generations,” the company, Janet Heller Fine Jewelry, wrote in the post.

✨🐐✨#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/2WMdVKF4qd

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 1, 2024

With nine Olympic medals, including six golds, Biles continues to cement herself as one of the “greatest of all time,” or GOAT.  “It is crazy I am in the conversation of the greatest of all time,” Biles said on Thursday. “I just think I’m still Simone Biles from Spring, Texas, who loves to flip.”  Biles has three events remaining at the Paris Olympics: the vault final on Saturday and the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Monday.