USA Cycling Cuts Ties With Chelsea Wolfe After Controversial Comments on Charlie Kirk Assassination

USA Cycling has moved swiftly to distance itself from former Olympic alternate Chelsea Wolfe after the transgender BMX rider posted celebratory remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Wolfe’s social media posts, which appeared shortly after Kirk’s murder, have sparked national outrage and reignited debates over political violence, athlete accountability, and the role of governing bodies in policing public speech.

Wolfe’s Controversial Posts

Chelsea Wolfe, who served as an alternate for the U.S. BMX team at the Tokyo Olympics, set off a firestorm on Instagram when reacting to the news of Kirk’s assassination. Wolfe reshared an article about the killing with the caption “We did it!”, along with a selfie suggesting Kirk was a “Nazi.”

In a separate post, Wolfe elaborated:

“Being a Nazi is completely optional btw. He didn’t have to do all that, but he did and now he’s dead. Don’t live your life in a way that the world is better following your death.”

The remarks spread rapidly online, drawing sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum. Many viewed the comments as a celebration of violence and an endorsement of political assassination.

USA Cycling’s Response

In a statement to Fox News Digital, USA Cycling clarified Wolfe’s current status and disavowed her comments:

“The views of current and former national team athletes are their own and do not reflect those of USA Cycling. Chelsea Wolfe has not been a member of the USA Cycling National Team or a member of USA Cycling since 2023.”

While Wolfe has not competed under the U.S. banner for more than a year, the governing body made it clear that her posts had no connection to the sport or its athletes.

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Outrage From the Sports World

The backlash extended beyond political circles. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova and conservative athlete Riley Gaines were among those who publicly denounced Wolfe’s behavior.

Navratilova tweeted that celebrating a murder was “grotesque,” while Gaines argued that athletes representing the U.S. — even as former Olympians — have a responsibility to uphold standards of conduct.

Despite the uproar, Wolfe doubled down by posting a meme Thursday night that read:

“Your boos mean nothing. I’ve seen what makes you cheer.”

This response further inflamed critics, who saw it as a refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing.

A History of Controversy

This is not the first time Wolfe has attracted criticism. In March 2020, Wolfe wrote on Facebook:

“My goal is to win the Olympics so I can burn a U.S. flag on the podium.”

The comment was widely condemned at the time, but Wolfe defended it as political expression during a heated debate about trans rights and sports participation.

During the Tokyo Olympics, Wolfe competed under eligibility rules from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) that allowed transgender women to compete in the women’s category. Those rules have since been tightened.

New Policies Restricting Competition

Both the USOPC and USA Cycling have recently updated their guidelines following President Donald Trump’s executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”

• USOPC Guidelines (July 2025): Compliance with federal rules requiring biological definitions in sports categories.

• USA Cycling Policy (September 2025): Women’s competition is restricted to “a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell.”

These changes effectively bar athletes like Wolfe from competing in women’s divisions going forward.

The Kirk Assassination and Its Fallout

The controversy over Wolfe’s comments comes during an already tense political moment. Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested and charged after a 33-hour FBI-led manhunt. Investigators recovered a rifle marked with anti-fascist messages, with one spent casing and three unused rounds carrying the same inscriptions.

Cox called the killing a “political assassination,” while FBI Director Kash Patel praised investigators for making “historic progress” in quickly apprehending the suspect.

President Donald Trump announced that Kirk will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

Political Violence and Social Media

The Wolfe episode highlights the dangers of public figures — especially athletes once associated with Team USA — making light of violence. Critics argue such rhetoric normalizes extremism and deepens political divisions.

At the same time, Wolfe’s defenders argue that her posts, however inflammatory, fall under free speech protections. This tension between free expression and the consequences of public influence remains unresolved in American sports and culture.

Looking Ahead

The case raises broader questions: Should governing bodies discipline former athletes for behavior after their careers end? Does celebrating the death of a political figure cross a line into incitement? And how should institutions balance accountability with free speech?

For Wolfe, the backlash may cement her place as one of the most controversial figures in recent Olympic history. For USA Cycling and the USOPC, the situation underscores the importance of setting clear boundaries on athlete conduct and protecting the reputation of U.S. sports on the world stage.

Conclusion

Chelsea Wolfe’s remarks following the assassination of Charlie Kirk have reignited debates about politics, violence, and the responsibilities of athletes. While USA Cycling has firmly distanced itself from Wolfe, the damage to public trust is harder to undo.

As the nation mourns Kirk’s death, Wolfe’s comments serve as a stark reminder of the risks when political rhetoric crosses into celebration of violence. For sports and politics alike, the fallout from this moment will linger far beyond the immediate headlines.