Riley Gaines, the former swimmer, shared the exciting news of her pregnancy on June 14, revealing that she and her husband, Louis Barker, are expecting their first child.
The 25-year-old announced they’re having a girl during a public event. However, the announcement came with a sharp remark aimed at Simone Biles, sparking further attention around their ongoing feud.
The Pregnancy Announcement and the Feud with Simone Biles
During her pregnancy reveal, Riley Gaines spoke about her recent social media exchange with Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. The conflict began earlier in June when Biles criticized Gaines for making anti-transgender comments.
Specifically, Biles had called Gaines “truly sick” for speaking out against transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Gaines addressed Biles’ comment at the event, mentioning a tweet from the gymnast in which she told Gaines to “bully someone your own size.”
Gaines sarcastically responded, suggesting that men don’t typically have the same “size” as her, a reference to her pregnancy as she revealed her baby bump to the crowd. Her announcement was met with cheers as she proudly shared her exciting news.
Social Media Post Celebrating the Baby
After the event, Gaines took to Instagram to share the joyful news with her followers. In a post with her husband, Louis Barker, they posed with an ultrasound and a horse, revealing they are 26 weeks pregnant.
Gaines expressed her gratitude, saying, “God is SO good all the time,” and reflecting on how special and meaningful the pregnancy is for them.
The Gaines for Girls podcast host also shared a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “She’s everything I’ve been fighting for & the little girl we’ve prayed over for years 🩷 praise God.” She went on to express how the pregnancy feels like a divine gift and something that’s been a long time in the making.
The Feud Behind the Pregnancy Announcement
The feud between Riley Gaines and Simone Biles intensified after Gaines commented on a post from the Minnesota State High School League. The league celebrated its first softball state championship win, which featured Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender woman pitcher.
Gaines, known for her outspoken conservative views on transgender athletes in women’s sports, criticized the victory, suggesting it was unfair due to the involvement of a transgender player.
Biles, a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, quickly responded on social media, calling Gaines a “sore loser” and accusing her of bullying the transgender community. Biles suggested that Gaines should be promoting inclusivity in sports instead of spreading negativity.
This was the beginning of their public social media clash, which continued with several back-and-forth posts.
Riley Gaines’ pregnancy announcement has drawn attention not only for its joyful news but also for the way she tied it to her ongoing feud with Simone Biles. Despite the tension, Gaines remains committed to her views on women’s sports and continues to voice her opinions publicly.
Her baby announcement was a moment of celebration for her family, but it also highlighted the ongoing division in the debate over transgender inclusion in competitive sports.
As her baby girl grows, it seems likely that Gaines will continue to be vocal about her beliefs, adding fuel to an already fiery discussion.
