Riley Gaines Compares Domestic Threat to 9/11 in Controversial X Post

Lead Riley Gaines likened the political turmoil of September 11, 2025, to the terrorist attacks of 2001 in an X post today, likening “an attack from within” to America’s deadliest foreign strike.

Nut Graf The former NCAA swimmer and conservative commentator framed her message as a warning about internal divisions undermining national unity, sparking intense debate across social media and drawing both praise and criticism.

Controversial Analogy

In a brief post today, Gaines wrote: “On September 11, 2001, America was attacked from the outside. On September 11, 2025, we face an attack from within.” She did not elaborate further but tagged no public figures, leaving readers to interpret her target.

Social Media Reaction

• Supporters applauded her for highlighting perceived threats to American values amid partisan rancor.
• Critics condemned the comparison as insensitive to victims and families of the 2001 attacks, calling it hyperbolic and tone-deaf.
• The hashtag #AttackFromWithin trended briefly on X under her post, driving thousands of replies and shares.

Context and Backlash

Gaines, known for her anti-transgender sports activism and political commentary, often uses stark rhetoric on her “Gaines for Girls” podcast. Today’s anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a solemn national remembrance, intensified reactions, with some accusing her of exploiting a solemn date for political messaging.

Despite mixed feedback, the post underscores Gaines’s continued influence in conservative circles and her willingness to court controversy on high-profile occasions.