Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer and University of Kentucky standout, has once again made headlines—this time for her praise of the Trump administration’s bold move to suspend a significant federal grant to the University of Pennsylvania.

Gaines, an outspoken advocate for women’s rights in sports, commended the decision following news that the university’s continued inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports led to the suspension of a $175 million grant.

Gaines, who now hosts the podcast “Gaines for Girls” on OutKick, has been a strong voice in the debate surrounding fairness in women’s sports, particularly in regard to the participation of transgender athletes. 

Her comments to Fox News Digital reflect her steadfast position that the integrity of women’s athletics must be protected, and she sees the Trump administration’s recent actions as a significant victory for women’s rights and sports equality.

The University of Pennsylvania, one of the nation’s prestigious Ivy League institutions, has found itself at the center of controversy regarding its transgender athlete policies.

The university has allowed transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports, a move that has sparked intense debate across the nation.

Critics argue that the inclusion of transgender women—biologically male individuals who transition to female—creates an unfair advantage, particularly in women’s swimming, where physical differences can provide a distinct competitive edge.

Gaines, who gained national attention after competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the NCAA championships, has been one of the most vocal critics of this policy.

In her statements following the announcement of the federal grant suspension, Gaines emphasized the importance of maintaining a level playing field for female athletes. “The decision by the Trump administration to suspend the $175 million in federal funding sends a clear message that fairness and opportunities for women must be protected,” she said.

Gaines’s fight for women’s sports rights stems from her own experience at the NCAA Championships, where she was forced to compete against Thomas, a transgender swimmer who had transitioned from male to female.

Thomas’s participation in women’s sports sparked widespread controversy, particularly after the swimmer dominated in several events, raising concerns among female athletes about the fairness of the competition.

Gaines herself has become a symbol of the movement to protect women’s sports from what she sees as an erosion of opportunities for biologically female athletes.

The Trump administration’s decision to suspend the $175 million federal grant has been hailed as a decisive moment in the ongoing battle over the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

The suspension was a response to the University of Pennsylvania’s policy of allowing transgender women to compete in women’s athletic events, which has been a source of contention for many athletes, coaches, and parents.

This suspension sends a clear message that federal funding will be withheld from institutions that do not adhere to what the Trump administration views as fair and equal treatment of female athletes.

It also signals that the government is taking a firm stance on the issue of transgender participation in women’s sports, reflecting a broader cultural debate about gender, equality, and fairness.

While many supporters of transgender rights argue that the suspension of funding is an attack on the rights of transgender individuals, Gaines and her supporters see it as a necessary step to ensure that female athletes are not marginalized or forced to compete against individuals who may have biological advantages.

Gaines’s support for the decision is rooted in her belief that fairness in sports is paramount and that women’s sports should remain a space for women, regardless of gender identity.

“The Trump administration has once again acted quickly to protect what is right for women and ensure that female athletes are given the opportunities they deserve,” Gaines stated, echoing her continued commitment to advocating for the rights of biologically female athletes.

The suspension of the $175 million federal grant has not been without its detractors. Critics of the Trump administration’s decision argue that it is a politically motivated move designed to pander to conservative values, while disregarding the rights of transgender individuals.

Supporters of transgender rights contend that transgender athletes should have the right to compete in the category that aligns with their gender identity, emphasizing that inclusion and equality should be central to any discussion about athletics.

However, for many female athletes, the issue is about more than just gender identity—it’s about fairness.

They argue that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports gives them an unfair advantage, as male-born athletes generally possess physical characteristics such as muscle mass, bone density, and lung capacity that may enhance athletic performance.

This has been a key concern raised by women like Gaines, who have experienced firsthand the challenges of competing against athletes with such advantages.

Gaines’s outspoken views have made her a lightning rod for both praise and criticism. While many applaud her courage in standing up for women’s sports, others accuse her of transphobia and intolerance.

The broader societal debate over transgender rights and women’s sports continues to intensify, with this latest federal action adding fuel to an already heated discussion.

The controversy surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports is part of a larger conversation about gender, rights, and equality. The debate touches on issues of fairness, inclusion, and the definition of womanhood itself.

For many transgender individuals, participation in women’s sports is seen as an essential part of their identity and right to equality. For others, like Gaines, the inclusion of transgender women in women’s events threatens the integrity of female athletics and undermines the opportunities available to biologically female athletes.

This conflict has created deep divisions within both the sports world and society at large. While some see it as a question of inclusion and human rights, others view it as a matter of preserving the fairness and integrity of competitive sports.

As the debate continues, decisions like the Trump administration’s suspension of federal funding will likely remain a point of contention, with no easy answers in sight.

Riley Gaines’s praise for the Trump administration’s decision to suspend the $175 million federal grant to the University of Pennsylvania is just one piece of a larger puzzle in the ongoing battle over transgender athletes in women’s sports.

For Gaines and many others, the suspension is a critical victory for fairness, equality, and the protection of opportunities for female athletes. However, as the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how the issue will evolve and what it means for the future of women’s sports in America.

As both sides of the debate continue to clash, the Trump administration’s action has brought much-needed attention to the challenges faced by women in sports and the need for policies that ensure equal opportunities for all athletes—whether transgender or not.