Riley Gaines challenges AOC to debate after social media spat

OutKick contributor Riley Gaines and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows discuss socialism as Zohran Mamdani attempts to secure leadership in New York City on 'The Ingraham Angle.'

Riley Gaines challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, to a debate on Monday after the two sparred on social media.

Gaines, an OutKick contributor, appeared on Fox News Channel’s "The Ingraham Angle" after Ocasio-Cortez responded to the former NCAA swimmer’s criticism of the Democrat.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks during a rally for New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

"So, here is what I will say. I want to honestly challenge AOC to a debate," Gaines said. "She can defend socialism. I will defend capitalism. She can defend removing God. I defend embracing a biblical worldview. She can defend child sacrifice. I will defend the sanctity of life. Any of the radical, insane Democratic policies that they stand for, I will debate the opposite and I am challenging AOC to it here."

Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez for comment, but the spat continued on social media.

Ocasio-Cortez later responded, "And I would like to challenge this person to get a real job."

Gaines shot back at Ocasio-Cortez.

"This is comical given it's coming from someone whose own party shut down the government and left you technically…jobless. And I guess I’ll take that as a no (which is to be expected when your positions are indefensible on virtually every issue)," she wrote on X.

"I have a real job. I'm a mom. It's the most important & rewarding job in the world. I think if you had a baby girl like I