Swimmer and activist Riley Gaines responded to a news article she claimed was an attempt at "character assassination" with a threat to sue.

British newspaper PinkNews released a story early Friday that read: "Anti-trans harassment pedalled on social media by former US college swimmer Riley Gaines has been linked with a bomb threat at a California library." Gaines had shared a video from a meeting of the Yolo County chapter of Moms for Liberty at Mary L. Stephens Library in Davis, where library staff kept interrupting the meeting, insisting the group not misgender transgender athletes, until they were asked to leave.

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In her post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Gaines included the location and phone number of the library, and by Monday afternoon the library allegedly received an anonymous bomb threat in a phone call that referenced anti-LGBT rhetoric. The library and nearby elementary school subsequently evacuated.

"This is libel & character assassination. You are the only one inciting violence & outrage by this post, but I understand thats the goal," Gaines posted on X with a link to the article. "Did you not learn anything from the last time you were sued? Dont worry about changing the article, its already been screenshotted. Lawyer up."

As a result, X issued a community notes update to the tweet that read: "Apart from the bomb threat happening one day after a speech by Gaines, no link exists. Riley Gaines has never called for violence nor talked in any context about the elementary school that received the bomb threat."

The outlet claimed to have reached out to Gaines but did not receive a comment from her. Instead, the outlet opted to share the link to the article on X a second time, some hours later.

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"Doubling down on a sinking ship by posting this libelous garbage again," Gaines wrote in response. "You mention at the bottom of your article you contacted me for comment (which is a lie) so here's your comment to take back to the publisher: 'Get your lawyers ready.'"

Gaines has garnered popularity online after launching a social media campaign surrounding the debate about transgender women in sports. She has been outspoken on the issue ever since she tied for fifth for the 200-meter NCAA championships last year with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas.