CPAC: Riley Gaines says media pushed ‘propaganda’ to smear Trump interaction

Riley Gaines believes the media pushed "propaganda" to make it seem like she tried to awkwardly dodge a kiss on the cheek from former President Trump on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last week.

Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines believes the media pushed "propaganda" to make it seem like she tried to awkwardly dodge a kiss on the cheek from former President Trump on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last week. 

"I think these recent headlines show, you know, how the media is pushing propaganda to fit their narrative," Gaines told Fox News Digital. "By no means, not even for a second on that stage was I uncomfortable sharing that space with Trump." 

Gaines found herself in the spotlight earlier this year when she spoke out against University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who is transgender, and was allowed to compete in women’s swimming. Thomas’ situation sparked a national debate over whether transgender woman should be permitted to compete in sports against biological women. 

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is joined onstage by SEC champion swimmer Riley Gaines at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas, U.S., August 6, 2022.  (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

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Gaines, who doesn’t believe transgender women should compete with biological women, famously tied Thomas fifth place in the 200 Freestyle finals at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Her side-eye glare at Thomas became a flashpoint for the debate. Along the way, Gaines has been interviewed by Tucker Carlson, invited to speak at CPAC and emerged as a hero