Conservative influencer and former competitive swimmer Riley Gaines recently criticized WNBA player DiJonai Carrington for wearing an anti-Trump shirt and for her past on-court behavior involving Caitlin Clark. Carrington's shirt, displaying the phrase "The F--- Donald Trump Tour," sparked controversy and drew Gaines' attention. Gaines, known for her outspoken views, particularly on transgender athletes in sports, referenced a previous incident where Carrington poked Clark in the eye during a game, questioning Carrington's behavior and political stance.

Gaines' critique extended to LeBron James, challenging Carrington on the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on her life and suggesting she focus on James' performance on the court. Carrington's history with Clark includes prior verbal attacks and criticism of Clark's fanbase. One such incident involved Carrington fouling Clark during a game and subsequently accusing Clark and her supporters of racism and negativity on social media. Carrington also mocked the eye-poking incident in a later video with Clark's teammate, NaLyssa Smith.

This isn't Gaines' first public disagreement with prominent figures on the left. She previously engaged in a heated exchange with journalist Jemele Hill over comments Clark made about white privilege in the WNBA. Gaines challenged Hill's perspective, leading to a back-and-forth that became personal, with Hill referencing Gaines' well-known stance on transgender athletes in sports, specifically mentioning Lia Thomas. Gaines defended her position, reiterating her concerns about fairness and women's rights in athletics. Gaines has also publicly debated with other figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mark Cuban, consistently generating significant engagement from her followers.