Riley Gaines is a former collegiate swimmer and conservative political activist who has become a prominent voice against the participation of transgender women in women's sports. A 12-time NCAA All-American for the University of Kentucky, she gained national attention in March 2022 when she tied with Lia Thomas, the first openly trans woman to win an NCAA title, in the 200-yard freestyle at the national championships. Shortly after that race, Gaines pivoted from initially supporting Thomas to launching a vocal campaign, appearing on conservative media like Tucker Carlson's show and speaking at CPAC in 2022. She has since supported political candidates such as Rand Paul and Herschel Walker, and in 2023 she began hosting the podcast Gaines for Girls on OutKick and Fox Nation. Born in Nashville to athletic parents, Gaines has faced criticism from former teammates who dispute her claims about Thomas and question her focus on trans athletes over coaching issues. Her activism has made her a key figure in the broader cultural debate over transgender rights in sports.