‘Cheated, Betrayed, And Violated’: Riley Gaines Reflects On Journey To Protect Girls Sports

Riley Gaines reflected on her years-long journey to help protect female sports on Thursday, just days after she was in the White House with President Donald Trump while he signed an executive order banning males from female athletics.

Swimming for the University of Kentucky, Gaines and other female swimmers were forced to compete against a male swimmer named Lia (formerly Will) Thomas during the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championship. Gaines and Thomas tied for fifth place in a race, but the trophy was given to only Thomas at the award ceremony. Gaines spoke about the NCAA’s actions and dedicated herself to advocating for female sports and athletes.

“I wish I could’ve told the girl in this photo what was to come in 2025,” Gaines posted on X, captioning a photo of herself next to Thomas at the tournament. “She felt cheated, betrayed, and violated. I’m just glad that girl trusted God and took a leap of faith by stating the obvious when it wasn’t popular.”

“It was true then and it’s true now. He’s a man,” she added, referring to Thomas.

I wish I could’ve told the girl in this photo what was to come in 2025. She felt cheated, betrayed, and violated.

I’m just glad that girl trusted God and took a leap of faith by stating the obvious when it wasn’t popular. It was true then and it’s true now. He’s a man. pic.twitter.com/OtVbJfvKCl

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) February 6, 2025

Gaines also thanked Kellie-Jay Keen, who led a protest against the inclusion of Thomas, a male, at the NCAA women’s final.

“I specifically want to thank those who’ve been fighting far longer than me. Women like [Kellie-Jay Keen] gave me courage without even knowing it at the time,” Gaines wrote. “Too many to thank, but nonetheless, we’re celebrating the wins.”

Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to withhold funds from programs and schools that allow males to compete in female athletics.

“It is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy,” the order reads. “It shall also be the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.”

Following the signing of the EO, Gaines spoke to Daily Wire White House Correspondent Mary Margaret Olohan.

“What we saw today is in total contrast to the treatment that we as women have received for the past four years,” she said, referencing the policies and attitudes of the Biden administration. “I’m overwhelmed with excitement, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Gaines added that the “win” was important, but called on the Senate to take up a bill dedicated to protecting female sports that has already been passed in the House.

.@Riley_Gaines_ reacts outside the White House to Donald Trump’s EO banning men from women’s sports: “What we saw today is in total contrast to the treatment that we as women have received for the past four years…I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.” pic.twitter.com/f858BpDUAE

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) February 5, 2025

Related: NCAA Backs Down, Changes Transgender Athlete Policy After Trump Order