Controversy has erupted following a birthday post by Riley Gaines, a conservative influencer and former NCAA swimmer, which has sparked debate over the use of taxpayer dollars and police resources, as well as questions about the picture’s authenticity.
Riley Gaines, who turned 26 on Tuesday, shared an image on the social media platform X, showing her celebrating with a Tennessee police officer. The photo, which features Gaines in pajamas holding flowers next to an officer in a generic uniform, was posted as a part of her birthday festivities.
In her post, Gaines expressed her appreciation, saying, “The local PD showed up to my house to hand deliver flowers for my birthday earlier this week. This is why so many people are moving to [Tennessee]. I’m so grateful for my community and our law enforcement officers.”
Known for her vocal stance against transgender athletes in women’s sports, a position that has even led to criticism from former President Donald Trump, Gaines added in a follow-up post that the visit was “clearly a surprise” as she was “still in [her] pajamas” when the officer arrived.
While some followers responded with cheerful birthday wishes, others were less enthusiastic. Criticism quickly surfaced, with several individuals questioning the appropriateness of the police department’s involvement. “What a waste of taxpayer money,” commented one critic, a sentiment echoed by many others.
‘What a waste of taxpayer money,’ wrote one critic, echoing a sentiment shared by others.
A birthday post from influencer and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines has led to allegations of wasted tax dollars and police resources, as well as questions about the photograph
Gaines recently criticized President Trump for sharing an AI image of himself as Jesus
‘Apparently Hendersonville PD has nothing better to do?’ read a post from The Tennessee Holler, another online influencer.
Hendersonville, a suburban enclave northeast of Nashville, is not clearly identified in the photo. The pictured officer has no clear badge and the patch on her shoulder only reads ‘police.’ Additionally, the white police SUV in the background does not have any identifying information, although the blue-and-red trim does correspond to Hendersonville PD vehicles.
These missing details led some to speculate that the photo was created by artificial intelligence.
‘I’ll take things that are generated by AI for $500, Alex,’ one critic wrote online.
‘That whole photo screams AI,’ another added.
Others felt the image was real, but somehow staged.
‘You literally paid someone to pose as a police officer in a photo with you,’ another critic claimed. ‘How f***ing pathetic.’
Gaines gained fame after competing in the 200-yard freestyle finals at the 2022 NCAA championship. Tying for fifth with trans University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, Gaines would go on to crusade against trans athletes in women’s sports.
She even addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, where she was introduced by Trump, who called her ‘beautiful’ and a ‘great champion.’
Trump sparked widespread outrage by sharing the post on Truth Social on Sunday evening
Gaines initially told the President that he needs some humility in a brutal message online
However, hours later, she issued a statement insisting that she will ‘continue to support him’
More recently, Gaines criticized Trump over his online portrayal of himself as a Jesus figure. Although Trump later claimed the AI-generated image he posted on social media was meant to make him look like a ‘doctor,’ Gaines was initially offended by the gesture.
‘Seriously, I cannot understand why he’d post this,’ she wrote on X, adding: ‘God shall not be mocked.’
Asked about Gaines’s comment, Trump later told reporters that he was ‘not a big fan’ of the activist.
Since then, Gaines has reaffirmed her support for Trump, who had deleted the offending post by that time.
‘I love the President and I’m so grateful he’s in the Oval Office,’ she wrote on X. ‘Of course, I’ll continue to support him and the America First agenda.’
Although many critics accused her of groveling at Trump’s feet, Gaines insisted she does ‘nothing for the approval of man.’
‘Our purpose on this earth is to glorify Him in all we do,’ she continued.
