Who is Riley Gaines? The former NCAA swimmer taking on political heavyweights
Riley Gaines
Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimming star and 12-time NCAA All-American, has become one of the loudest voices in the national debate over women’s sports and transgender participation. Known for her fearless advocacy, Gaines rose to prominence after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championships, an event that pushed her into the spotlight as a defender of fairness in women’s competition.
This week, Gaines once again made headlines after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) mocked her athletic career on social media. The exchange quickly ignited outrage across political and sports circles.
The Viral Exchange: AOC’s Mockery and Gaines’ Sharp Response
The controversy began when Gaines shared a photo of AOC, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, captioning it: “We’re being destroyed from within.” Her post criticized what she sees as the growing socialist influence within American politics.
Rather than addressing Gaines’ political stance, AOC fired back on X (formerly Twitter):
“Maybe if you channeled all this anger into swimming faster you wouldn’t have come in fifth.”
Gaines responded within hours, calling out AOC’s hypocrisy on women’s rights.
“It’s always ‘we support women’s rights!’ until it’s a woman who wants the right to compete & undress free from less than mediocre men. Keep your mentally ill men out of our sports, locker rooms, prisons, etc.”
The fiery response quickly went viral, with conservatives and women’s rights supporters rallying behind Gaines.
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Riley Gaines’ Advocacy for Women’s Sports
Since her collegiate career, Gaines has become a prominent activist for biological women in sports, partnering with organizations like OutKick and hosting the “Gaines on Girls” podcast. Her stance emphasizes that biological differences in athletics give male competitors unfair advantages, a point she’s repeated before Congress and in numerous interviews.
Backing her up, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) posted on X:
“What happened to ‘support all women,’ @AOC? @Riley_Gaines_ is a 5x SEC Champion and 12x NCAA All-American.”
Gaines’ advocacy has earned recognition from President Donald Trump, who earlier this year signed an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s sports, acknowledging Gaines’ efforts during the signing ceremony.
Why Riley Gaines Matters in Today’s Debate
Gaines’ clash with AOC goes beyond a personal spat. It reflects a growing cultural divide over gender, fairness, and feminism. While AOC and her supporters frame the issue as one of inclusion, Gaines argues that it undermines decades of progress in women’s athletics.
“It’s always hilarious when they think they’ve landed a ‘gotcha’ by pointing out I was the 5th-fastest woman in the nation yet they conveniently forget the mediocre man who ranked 462nd in the men’s division.”
Her reference to Lia Thomas underscores what she and many others see as a broader erosion of women’s rights under the banner of equality.
The Bigger Picture
With growing legislative momentum, including the proposed Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, Gaines’ name is likely to remain at the center of political and cultural discussions. Whether praised as a hero or criticized as divisive, her message continues to challenge America’s evolving definitions of womanhood and competition.
FAQ
Who is Riley Gaines?
Riley Gaines is a former University of Kentucky swimmer, a 12-time NCAA All-American, and a prominent advocate for women’s sports fairness. She gained national attention after tying with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
Why did AOC mock Riley Gaines?
AOC responded to a post by Gaines criticizing socialist politicians by mocking her fifth-place NCAA finish, saying she should have “swum faster.” The comment was widely criticized as dismissive and hypocritical.
How did Riley Gaines respond to AOC?
Gaines fired back, accusing AOC of betraying women’s rights by supporting policies that allow biological males in women’s sports. Her responses went viral across social media platforms.
What is Riley Gaines’ stance on transgender athletes?
Gaines opposes allowing transgender women (biological males) to compete in women’s sports, arguing it creates unfair physical advantages and undermines Title IX protections.
Has Riley Gaines met Donald Trump?
Yes. President Trump publicly acknowledged Gaines during the signing of an executive order in February 2025, which bans transgender female athletes from competing in women’s events.
What is Riley Gaines doing now?
She currently hosts the “Gaines on Girls” podcast on OutKick, where she discusses issues around sports, culture, and women’s advocacy.