Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez traded sharp criticisms on X after Gaines posted a photo from a New York City rally. The exchange highlighted tensions over transgender participation in women's sports and political ideologies. Gaines later challenged Ocasio-Cortez to a public debate.
The back-and-forth began on October 27, 2025, when Riley Gaines shared a photo from the “New York Is Not For Sale” rally at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, where Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D‑N.Y.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I‑Vt.) appeared in support of New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and state assemblymember. “We’re being destroyed from within,” Gaines captioned the image. (reutersconnect.com)
Ocasio-Cortez replied later on October 27 with a jab at Gaines’ collegiate result: “Maybe if you channeled all this anger into swimming faster you wouldn’t have come in fifth,” referencing the 2022 NCAA championships. Gaines tied for fifth in the women’s 200‑yard freestyle that year, finishing alongside Lia Thomas. (mediaite.com)
Gaines responded on X that day, writing, “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.” She later added, “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 lol. Misogynistic dunce.” (Both statements were Gaines’ posts on X.) (dailywire.com)
That evening, Gaines appeared on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle and issued a debate challenge: “I’ll debate her anytime. She can defend socialism — I’ll defend capitalism. She can defend removing God — I’ll defend a biblical worldview. She can defend child sacrifice — I’ll defend the sanctity of life.” She is a 12‑time All‑American and hosts the OutKick podcast “Gaines for Girls.” (mediaite.com)
Ocasio-Cortez dismissed the invitation with, “And I would like to challenge this person to get a real job.” Gaines replied, “I have a real job. I’m a mom. It’s the most important & rewarding job in the world,” a remark that came weeks after she announced the birth of her daughter. (mediaite.com)
The exchange underscores ongoing debate over transgender participation in women’s sports, a subject that vaulted into the national spotlight after Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title in March 2022 and tied with Gaines for fifth in the 200‑yard freestyle at the same championship. Critics of Thomas often cite a “462nd” men’s ranking before her transition; analysts have noted that figure refers to a specific event and that Thomas posted nationally competitive men’s times in distance freestyle prior to transitioning. (washingtonpost.com)