Bulwark Takes The Story Riley Gaines Doesn't Want to Tell (w/ Pablo Torre)
Nov 24, 2025
Pablo Torre, a journalist known for his sharp investigative work and host of 'Pablo Torre Finds Out,' joins Tim Miller to unpack the transformation of Riley Gaines from college swimmer to prominent anti-trans political figure. They delve into the complexities of her rise, driven by conservative media and a pivotal moment tied to Leah Thomas. The conversation explores how allegations against her coach were overshadowed, the financial motivations behind her narrative, and the broader implications of the trans sports debate.
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Misidentified Lineage Clarified
- Tim Miller and Pablo Torre note Riley Gaines did not come from famed swimmer Rowdy Gaines.
- They reveal her actual father is Brad Gaines, a former NFL player, illustrating how narratives get simplified.
Tie Became A Political Origin Story
- Riley Gaines transformed a close fifth-place tie with Leah Thomas into a national political platform.
- Pablo Torre shows how that origin was amplified into a lucrative anti-trans career by conservative media and donors.
Rhetoric Escalated Into Moral Panic
- Gaines's rhetoric escalated from disappointment to equating competing with a trans athlete to experiences like sexual assault.
- Torre traces how conservative hosts amplified that escalation into dehumanizing claims about trans people.