Right-wing politician Lauren Boebert launched a fundraiser to capitalize on the recent transphobic furor surrounding Olympic gold medalist boxer Imane Khelif. The stunt, however, backfired as Khelif’s opponent has now declined to accept the money.

On August 1, Imane Khelif faced off against Italian boxer Angela Carini at the Paris Olympics. 46 seconds into the match, Carini forfeited under intense pain.

Shortly after the match, Khelif — a cis woman — became the subject of transphobic abuse and conspiracy theories. High profile anti-trans voices like JK Rowling and Elon Musk spread baseless claims that Khelif is secretly trans. Khelif has since filed a lawsuit for cyberbullying and harassment, naming both celebrities.

Although these transphobes claimed to be acting on behalf of Khelif’s opponent, Carini herself has soundly rejected their vitriol. “All this controversy makes me sad,” Carini told an Italian publication. “I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”

Carini maintained that, despite her refusal to shake hands with Khelif in the heat of the match, there is no bad blood between them. “I want to apologize to her and everyone else,” she said. “I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke. I don’t have anything against Khelif. If I were to meet her again, I would embrace her.”

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But anti-trans activists continue to use Carini as a convenient prop. In August, Colorado Rep Boebert organized a fundraiser, Stand with Angela Carini, via GiveSendGo. The crowdfunding campaign sought to raise $196,000, or the equivalent of Italy’s gold medal prize money, and its description repeatedly misgendered Khelif.

But once again Carini has declined support from hateful sources, as Boebert announced on X/Twitter. “A person with XY chromosomes was allowed to compete against actual, biological women in the Olympics,” Boebert wrote, parroting the misinformation around Khelif’s gender identity. “Americans were rightly outraged and gave generously for Angela Carini, one of the women who was beaten up in the ring and had to stop her match to avoid being seriously injured.

“After my team heard from Angela’s coach, we were informed that she didn’t want to continue with what has been a difficult chapter in her life. While she appreciated the support by so many, she decided not to accept the funds. GiveSendGo refunded the contributions late last week.”

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