Ibtihaj Muhammad just won her first fencing match at the Olympics, but she’s already made history by being the first American-Muslim competitor to wear a hijab while competing.
The USA's Ibtihaj Muhammad wins her opening match, via @usatsimg pic.twitter.com/cLybtUimyP
— Joe Fleming (@ByJoeFleming) August 8, 2016
Muhammad has readily acknowledged what it means for her to be at the Olympics—not just as an athlete but as a symbol for other Muslim-Americans. “I realize the importance of being the first Muslim woman to compete for Team USA,” she wrote at the Players Tribune. “I am an image of change.”
So, with all eyes on her, she’s been going after Donald Trump.
Last week on CNN, Muhammad said that the presidential candidate’s “words are very dangerous,” likely referring to comments Trump has made about keeping Muslims out of America. “My family was born here. I was born here. I’ve grown up in Jersey. All my family’s from Jersey. It’s like, well, where do we go?” She continued her criticism of Trump in an interview with BBC today, saying, “Public and government figures need to change the rhetoric.”
But even before the Olympics got underway, she’s been outspoken about the politician.
Friends don't let friends like Trump
— Ibtihaj Muhammad (@IbtihajMuhammad) December 11, 2015
What’s the over/under on Trump challenging Muhammad to a fencing match over this? Can we get a GoFundMe for that?