In the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Riley Gaines, a friend and fellow conservative influencer, shared her own experiences with left-wing violence on college campuses.
Speaking at the 2023 Turning Point USA event held at San Francisco State University, Gaines recounted how radical trans activists confronted her during her appearance, leading to hours of evacuation in classrooms as university police failed to manage the escalating situation.
The former NCAA swimmer gained notoriety for speaking out in 2022 about competing alongside transgender swimmer Leah Thomas. She described how an aggressive group of protesters overwhelmed the event, drowning her in their chants and causing chaos.
“I was really confused. There was this mix of identities, and I just felt like I was in danger with fists flying around me,” Gaines explained to Fox News Digital.
According to her, a few police officers managed to pull her away but the hostile crowd remained outside, waiting for her return. She spent several hours trapped, as protesters continued to gather nearby.
Gaines recalled protesters making threats, saying they would demand money if they wanted to “see my family again,” emphasizing that campus police appeared unable or unwilling to control the situation, likely due to the political implications regarding the transgender community.
Feeling frightened for her safety, she described how she ended up in tears, pleading with an officer, “I just want to go home.”
Eventually, she was released when the San Francisco Police Department arrived on the scene. While she supports law enforcement, she openly criticized how campus authorities handled the incident.
Gaines returned to campus with Kirk in May as part of his American comeback tour. However, she expressed disappointment that many familiar campus police officers who had previously assisted her still seemed ineffective in ensuring her safety.
“Nothing was really done to hold accountable the students involved, the university officials, or even the campus police who created an environment that allowed this to happen,” she stated.
Concerns about security on university campuses have intensified for conservative speakers following the tragic assassination of Kirk. He was fatally shot at an event on September 10 at Utah Valley University while addressing questions about violence against transgender individuals.
The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, had a transgender partner and reportedly admitted to the shooting, suggesting that Kirk’s “hatred” had pushed him to act.
Gaines worried that the university might further marginalize conservative voices in light of Kirk’s death, expressing anxiety about future speaking engagements at colleges. She had multiple stops planned for the fall, some alongside Kirk, but her circumstances had changed with a baby on the way, raising her concerns about her ability to continue these engagements.
“I hate to say it, but I’m genuinely afraid—especially now that I’m about to become a new parent,” Gaines shared, reflecting on her growing responsibilities.
Ultimately, she expressed a deep sense of loss for her mentor and friend. Kirk had been instrumental in launching her speaking career, and she often sought his guidance.
“He had this remarkable ability to connect with people, no matter who they were. Charlie made everyone feel seen,” Gaines concluded.
