Riley Gaines Challenges AOC to Public Debate

Riley Gaines challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a public debate, saying on social media and again on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle that she would debate AOC on issues including socialism versus capitalism, abortion, religion and the rights of women in sports. Ocasio-Cortez responded on X by mocking Gaines’ fifth-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Division I championships, a race in which Gaines tied with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. Gaines pushed back on social media and in interviews, stressing she was the fifth-fastest woman in the nation, highlighting her role in a lawsuit by female athletes against the NCAA over transgender participation, and accusing Democrats of siding with biological males in women’s events. The exchange drew attention and backing from some conservatives and intensified the national debate over transgender athletes and women’s sports.