OutKick founder Clay Travis defended Riley Gaines from criticism after former cable news host Keith Olbermann denigrated her on social media.
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, Gaines — who hosts a podcast for OutKick defending biological women competing in women’s sports without the inclusion of trans athletes — reacted to a statement from Nebraska State Senator Megan Hunt (D). Hunt called the decision by the Nebraska governor to establish a “Women’s Bill of Rights” in the state “offensive and ridiculous”.
“Defining woman = ridiculous to state senator Megan Hunt,” Gaines posted with three clown emojis. “Remember that next election, Nebraskans.”
In response, Olbermann took a shot at the former college athlete.
“Can you just address the reality and move past it? You sucked at swimming. That’s why you lost,” wrote Olbermann.
Gaines rose to prominence after tying for fifth place in the women’s 200-yard freestyle at the NCAA Swimming Championships to Lia Thomas. Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win a national championship in a women’s sport during the women’s 500-yard freestyle at the same meet. Gaines has subsequently become a prominent voice in conservative media circles for her advocacy and protesting of NCAA and other governing body’s policies surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes.
After Olbermann’s comment, Travis responded by calling the argument from the former cable news and ESPN host “profoundly dumb even for you, Keith”.
Riley Gaines “was one of the best women’s collegiate swimmers in the country. She was forced to swim against a man pretending to be a woman,” wrote Clay Travis. “Do you really think men’s and women’s sports shouldn’t be separated?”
Gaines responded to Olbermann’s message by saying “makes sense now why you got fired from ESPN”.
As of publication, Olbermann has not responded to either message.
