AOC and Riley Gaines Engage in Heated Social Media Feud Over Transgender Athletes in Sports

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and former collegiate swimmer turned conservative activist Riley Gaines engaged in a heated social media feud centered on transgender athletes in women's sports and broader ideological conflicts. The dispute began after Gaines criticized Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive figures for "destroying the country," prompting Ocasio-Cortez to mock Gaines' fifth-place finish in an NCAA swimming event, which Gaines tied with transgender athlete Lia Thomas. Gaines, who has built a political career opposing transgender participation in women's sports and supports President Donald Trump, responded with personal insults and challenged Ocasio-Cortez to a debate on socialism versus capitalism and cultural issues. The exchange highlights the ongoing culture war over transgender rights in sports, with Gaines defending "biological women should compete against biological women" and Ocasio-Cortez dismissing Gaines with snark and personal attacks. Both women have significant social media followings and are known for their outspoken views, making their clash emblematic of broader political and cultural divides. The feud reflects how contentious the debate over transgender athletes remains in 2025, with Gaines emerging as a prominent conservative voice on the issue and Ocasio-Cortez representing progressive opposition.