Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer and outspoken advocate for women's rights, has declared her support for former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, citing the Democrats' stance on gender-affirming surgery as a major factor in her decision.
Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines has made a bold宣言 at former President Trump's rally in Glendale, Arizona, where she declared that she is choosing to vote for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris. Her decision, she stated, was made solely because she is a woman.
Gaines, who now hosts the "Gaines for Girls" podcast, was one of several speakers at the rally, including Republican Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake and GOP Arizona Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and Eli Crane.
Gaines Rejects Kamala Harris, Sides with Trump Over Women's Rights
Gaines' announcement came in response to Democratic voters who have expressed their support for Harris solely because she is a woman. Gaines countered this by outlining several issues that are important to her as a woman voter and where she disagrees with the Democratic stance.
One of Gaines' primary concerns was the Democrats' views on gender-affirming surgery. "They don't believe in school choice; they don't believe in parental rights or the safeguarding of children; they don't believe in freedom unless it's the freedom to have an abortion or chemically and surgically castrate children," she said.
Gaines Rejects Kamala Harris, Sides with Trump Over Women's Rights
Gaines went on to criticize the Democrats for their stance on tampons in boys' bathrooms and their belief that men can become pregnant. "You have one ticket that knows what a woman is and has vowed to take decisive action at protecting our sex-based rights, compared to the other ticket that thinks men can become pregnant and that tampons belong in boys' bathrooms," she said.
Gaines is preparing to testify in Georgia about her experience competing against and sharing a locker room with a biological male, Lia Thomas. She will be joined by four other NCAA All-American women athletes who filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) for allegedly violating Title IX by allowing Thomas to compete.
Gaines Rejects Kamala Harris, Sides with Trump Over Women's Rights
The committee's inquiry will focus on the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, where Thomas competed for the University of Pennsylvania women's swimming team. Gaines competed against Thomas and tied with her in the 200-yard championships in 2022.
The five athletes will also share their experiences of being forced to share a locker room with Thomas. They will explain how their rights were violated by Georgia Tech University and the NCAA and recommend steps to be taken to protect women's rights in the future.
Gaines' decision to support Trump is a significant endorsement for the former president. It underscores the growing concerns among women voters about the Democrats' stance on gender-affirming surgery and other issues affecting women's rights.
