Riley Gaines Welcomes Daughter Margot Amid Immigration and Advocacy Challenges

Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer and conservative activist known for her opposition to transgender women competing in women's sports, has welcomed her first child, a daughter named Margot, with her husband Louis Barker. The couple, who met at the University of Kentucky and married in 2022, shared the joyful news on social media with heartfelt messages expressing profound love and gratitude. Throughout her pregnancy, Gaines remained active and publicly engaged, including a notable swim near Alcatraz while 31 weeks pregnant, highlighting her physical endurance and mental toughness. Gaines announced her pregnancy at a Turning Point USA event, where she also addressed criticism from Olympian Simone Biles, emphasizing the importance of protecting future generations. Her activism has made her a prominent figure in the national conversation on women's sports, with close ties to President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order influenced by her advocacy to bar men from women's sports in federally funded educational programs. Despite ongoing challenges such as her husband's complicated U.S. citizenship process, Gaines continues to champion her cause, framing her fight as a legacy for her daughter and other young girls.