Austin Chats With Riley Gaines
Austin got a chance to speak with Riley Gaines on the show Thursday. They chatted about the difficulties that she’s faced for her views, how she’s handling notoriety for her views, and her friendship with CJ Pearson.
Austin: All right. We are moments away from touching base with Riley Gaines. I’m looking forward to that. I had no idea that we were going to be able to do that today, and it just kind of worked out that way. She is making an appearance on behalf of C.J. Pearson in Atlanta, and I learned something that I did not know.
I haven’t been keeping up with the day-to-day political contributions, in these in these races. And, Greg Bloomstein, I believe, is, the gentleman’s name that wrote the article, shared that C.J. had collected over $70,000 in this race. And while reporting the other candidates, I think the only the one he specifically mentioned, as far as finances goes was Gary Richardson, and that Gary had loaned himself $30,000, of his own money in his campaign fees or, excuse me, to go around his campaign coffers. And that was the only thing that was mentioned.
But C.J., apparently is, doing very well with a lot of contributions to his cause, and he used his connections with Prager University and nationwide. I mean, the guy’s been a national figure for quite some time to raise money all over the country. Is she ready to go? I think she is. Let’s say hello. I think she’s there. Riley, are you with us?
Riley Gaines: I am here. How are you?
Austin: I’m great. This is Riley Gaines. And Riley, I’m Austin Rhodes. I appreciate you joining us this afternoon. I, I’m thrilled to death that you’re able to take a few minutes with you. I want to just say before we get into why you’re in Atlanta doing what you’re doing today. My wife, myself, my daughter. We’re all huge fans of yours.
My son doesn’t watch a lot of Fox News, but when he does, he’s seen you as well. And he appreciate you. I say that because, my daughter was an athlete in high school, and my son is an athlete now, and they very, very much respect all that you have done to stand up for women in competitive sports. And I think it’s one of the great gifts to the Republican Party in the conservative movement that, number one, people like you are standing up and fighting back.
And number two, if you show me somebody that thinks a biological male should be competing against someone like you, a biological female, I question their judgment on everything. There ain’t nothing. I mean, if they tell me they like tutti frutti frutti over chocolate, I’m going to. I’m going to debate them on that. Somebody says, well, hell, you’re crazy about transgender sports. So what in the world else are you crazy about?
Riley Gaines: No doubt. You’re exactly right. This is almost become the litmus test of crazy. If you believe men can become women and vice versa. I’m sorry you lose all credibility on every other topic because this is. Look, it’s the most basic of truths. It’s literally the sheer essence of humanity. Man and woman. And we have people. Really. We have leaders, the leaders of this nation, leaders of this state who are willing to deny that. But anyways, I just want to say thank you for having me on. Oh, it’s like I said, your family sounds amazing. So thank you.
Austin: Yeah, they are, and we appreciate you. And like I said, it’s whenever you’re on my wife is like Oh. Riley’s on. Okay. So, you’ve kind of gone from zero to national figure in about what? Two minutes. It’s crazy to imagine. How quick is it? Is it, caught up with you yet, or are you a little weary of it? Are you still energized by the fight and getting stronger every day?
Riley Gaines: You know what? I feel energized by it. I do feel like I get stronger every day. I feel like I get wiser every day. I feel like I’m understanding moreso the opposition daily. And I think more people are waking up day by day. You know, more parents are understanding what’s at stake. Of course, more athletes, more coaches. Really just people, concerned citizens. Because this isn’t limited to to just one group of people or one demographic. No one is immune to the gender ideology movement. And so I think people are realizing that, and I certainly believe the tide is turning.
Austin: How many times have you been called transphobic over the last year?
Riley Gaines: I wish I could give you a finite number. At first, truthfully, I was terrified to be called this. I thought this meant that I was this terrible person. I thought it meant I was disrespectful. I thought it meant that I wasn’t kind enough or inclusive enough or didn’t live, my life. Very Christ like if I was to be called this.
But I will tell you now, you know, over these past few years, the term transphobic has almost become a term of endearment. It’s almost become as if it’s like an indicator for the the fact that you’re doing something right. Because, look, the bottom line is I’m not anti anything. You know, someone wants to live their life a certain way. Behind closed doors, you know, by all means, I, I certainly don’t want to be one to police that. I don’t want someone to police how I live. So that’s not my intention. My argument is not anti-trans. It’s very much pro-woman.
Austin: And by the way…
Riley Gaines: So, in fairness it’s pro-reality.
Austin: Yeah, absolutely. What I love to do when people have call me that and they finally stop doing it because it shut them up so good, just remind them that said, hey, tell you what, if you think I’m transphobic, I 100% support any woman that wants to compete in men’s sports. Absolutely, matter of fact, they can wear, they can wear blue jeans, running track. They do whatever they want to do. I don’t care if it is a woman that is playing up, punching up. God bless her.
And you and I both know if there were a natural-born female, whether she went through the trans situation or not, who was competing at the highest levels fairly. In other words, qualifying like to play at the Augusta National in the Masters, or making a football or a baseball team on their talent, they would be superstars. They would be the most famous and popular athlete of all time. So I don’t have a problem with that.
I have a problem with punching down, which is what males, biological males are doing when they attempt to physically compete against women. But, you know, you and I have kind of both let the world know how we feel about that. You’re a hero for it, and we appreciate you. Let me ask you a few questions about C.J. How long have you known CJ Pearson?
Riley Gaines: Gosh, you know, I got connected with C.J., maybe about a year ago, just through social media. He was someone really I followed and looked up to because it was this. This young voice, who was. Fearless, it seemed and just incredibly unapologetic in his stances. And so I admired this, especially kind of just having found my voice myself.
So I followed him for a while. And I met him a few months back at Prager U. Which the work he’s doing there, had been doing there was just incredible. Really, all of what Prager U. Does is phenomenal. So I met him there. And so since then, we’ve been able to keep in touch more closely.
I had him on my podcast, Gaines For Girls , which is through Outkick, a few months ago. And he, of course, does a great job. And so I’m just thrilled to know him. He makes me feel like a failure, given the fact that he’s 21 years old, so well-spoken and such a fierce fighter for Georgia, and really for the nation.
Austin: Absolutely. I needed to mention that you do work with outback. Excuse me. Outkick not outback. Outkick. And, Clay Travis outkicked his coverage when he hired you. That’s. There’s no doubt about that. It’s a good move. You get along well with Clay? How long have you known Clay?
Riley Gaines: Gosh, Clay is one of the most stand up guys I’ve ever met. He is so smart. He is so genuine. He’s. He’s one of the good ones. And you and I both know there’s not a lot of those.
Austin: Do me a personal favor. Promise me you’ll do this. So he obviously is the sports guy, and he loves going to all these events all over the country. Remind him that he has a very strong affiliate in Augusta, Georgia, home of the Masters golf tournament, and that he needs to come here and enjoy the Masters. And he can do his show from our studios here while he’s here.
Riley Gaines: I will tell him. And I bet you he’ll take you up on it.
Austin: He’s. We’d love to have him. Well, in wrapping things up with C.J., one of the criticisms that his opponents have thrown is that he’s too young. That 21, 22 just, you know, is too young. La la la la la. What would you say to criticism that someone CJ’s age is too young to contribute as an elected official?
Riley Gaines: Look, this is what we need is we need is youth. That has been one of the most, outspoken criticisms of especially the presidential election coming up as our options. So it seems, are two old guys, one of which is at least, coherent, and the other one is senile. But anyways, it’s still all people, right?
We need youth. We need fresh faces. We need people who are relatable, who understand the struggles and the problems that Gen Z. My generation faces. Because a lot of these older people, they’re out of touch. They don’t understand the college scene. They don’t understand the threats that we face for speaking out or, what that might look like. So I think CJ is just exactly what we need to see. I think it’s kind of like a breath of fresh air.
And truthfully, he has a lot to prove, which I think is a really awesome thing to have. Kind of like this target on your back because he’ll work really hard, which he’s already proven to do. You know, he’s been on the ground, he’s been talking to the voters, his soon to be constituents, which is a lot more than what I believe his opponents are doing.
Austin: Okay, well, listen, I appreciate you taking the opportunity to talk to us today. Sounds like you got a good group there in Atlanta. Safe travels to you. And, I hope we get to meet you sometime in the future. I really admire what you’ve done. You are an incredibly brave young woman, and we think the world of you.
Riley Gaines: Well, thank you very much. I hope to see you soon.
Austin: Yes, ma’am. Thank you. God bless. Riley Gaines, speaking on behalf of her friend C.J. Pearson. They’re having a fundraiser in Atlanta as we speak. And sadly, I say, sadly, I think it’s sad that anybody running for any office ever has a cloud over their candidacy. But we still have not heard back. And today is the day when we’re supposed to hear back on the fate of his residency challenge.
And again, I next time I have an opportunity to have words with, or Secretary of State, I’m just going to remind him that, under these very special circumstances involving these special elections, that, thank goodness gracious, don’t come up very often. They need to have the residency challenge process. You know, greatly, greatly reduced in, in time frame to coincide with early voting. Because, again, people have been voting for a week now, if not two. Actually, without knowing if, CJ’s even going to be in this race or not. It’s not fair to him. And it’s certainly not fair to the his opponents. I mean, just very, very bad idea. I don’t know who dreamed up the timetable here, but they need to adjust it, fix it, and never let it happen again.
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