Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines thanked President Donald Trump for defending women in sports and for bringing about a deal that resulted in the University of Pennsylvania apologizing for the damage wrought by its decision to allow a trans-identifying male swimmer to compete as a member of its women’s team.

The agreement also saw Lia (formerly William) Thomas stripped of medals and the records returned to the women who had rightfully earned them — including Gaines, who famously tied with Thomas for fifth place in the 200 freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships.

“UPenn has agreed to right its wrongs, restore records to the rightful female athletes, and issue an apology to the women impacted by the man they allowed to compete as a woman. Are pigs flying? God bless @realDonaldTrump,” Gaines wrote in a post on X.

UPenn has agreed to right its wrongs, restore records to the rightful female athletes, and issue an apology to the women impacted by the man they allowed to compete as a woman.

Are pigs flying?

God bless @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/PZxcieyp7m

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 1, 2025

But even as Gaines was thanking Trump for his administration’s efforts to protect women in athletics, others were pointing out the fact that if Gaines herself had not been one of the first to take a stand — to protect herself and other women and girls — that the result she saw on Tuesday might never have been realized.

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“UPenn caves after federal investigation into Lia Thomas, and will now enforce Trump’s mandate to BAN men from women’s sports. This is a major win for women everywhere. And it wouldn’t have happened without Riley Gaines. She fought hard and now the tide is turning,” conservative podcast host Benny Johnson posted.

UPenn caves after federal investigation into Lia Thomas, and will now enforce Trump’s mandate to BAN men from women’s sports.

This is a major win for women everywhere. And it wouldn’t have happened without Riley Gaines. She fought hard and now the tide is turning. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/rlkgdvIWEz

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 1, 2025

Paula Scanlan, a teammate of Thomas’ at UPenn, spoke out even after being told by school officials to simply shut up and swim. She credits Gaines with helping her to take a stand.

“I wanted to take a quick moment to thank @Riley_Gaines_. She’s become the teammate I wish I had in college. I was silenced, bullied and unsupported by my teammates and my university. Today and everyday, I’m grateful for our friendship and how much she’s helped me grow,” Scanlan posted.

I wanted to take a quick moment to thank @Riley_Gaines_

She’s become the teammate I wish I had in college. I was silenced, bullied and unsupported by my teammates and my university.

Today and everyday, I’m grateful for our friendship and how much she’s helped me grow ❤️ pic.twitter.com/u1RljDLuue

— Paula Scanlan (@PaulaYScanlan) July 2, 2025

Former champion gymnast and XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey added, “UPenn rescinded all of the accolades given to Will Thomas because we have FREEDOM OF SPEECH in the US. @PaulaYScanlan @Riley_Gaines_ @xx_xyathletics and many others spoke out about the injustice. It made a difference in the end. Happy independence day (sic)!”

UPenn rescinded all of the accolades given to Will Thomas because we have FREEDOM OF SPEECH in the US. @PaulaYScanlan @Riley_Gaines_ @xx_xyathletics and many others spoke out about the injustice.

It made a difference in the end.

Happy independence day! ???????? pic.twitter.com/tqpOu7dzsO

— Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) July 2, 2025

“It’s wild that there is a percentage of people brainwashed by their religion (liberalism) to believe it’s ‘evil’ to stop people w/ testicles from violating women & dominating their sports. Anyway, shoutout @Riley_Gaines_ for trailblazing on this issue when it was unpopular,” Jason Howerton added.

It’s wild that there is a percentage of people brainwashed by their religion (liberalism) to believe it’s “evil” to stop people w/ testicles from violating women & dominating their sports.

Anyway, shoutout @Riley_Gaines_ for trailblazing on this issue when it was unpopular pic.twitter.com/8eu3d4q3mC

— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) July 2, 2025