Riley Gaines Discusses Campus Violence After Charlie Kirk’s Death
Following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Riley Gaines, a friend and conservative influencer, shared her own experiences with left-wing violence on college campuses. At the 2023 Turning Point USA event at San Francisco State University, Gaines recounted a troubling incident where radical trans activists attacked her, leading to hours of forced evacuation. Despite being in a chaotic situation, she described how university police did little to break up the hostile crowd.
The former NCAA swimmer, known for her statements on competing against transgender swimmer Leah Thomas, noted that a mob of protesters surrounded her. The atmosphere was confusing and overwhelming, mixed with aggressive chanting that left her feeling quite threatened. “I was… really confused,” Gaines remarked, “with a man dressed as a woman, and then there’s just chaos.” She expressed her frustration during her talk with Fox News Digital.
According to her, regular police officers had to extract her from the tumult and guide her to safety, only for her to find more protesters waiting outside. She spent hours trapped in nearby classrooms as tensions outside grew.
Gaines mentioned to Fox News that if the protesters had their way, they might have demanded money just to let her see her family again. She described a moment of intense fear, breaking down in tears while pleading with a police officer to be allowed to leave, to which he reportedly replied, “That’s a bit selfish, do you want us to go home too?”
Eventually, once the San Francisco Police Department arrived, Gaines was ushered out. Although she identifies as pro-law enforcement, she criticized the handling of the situation by campus police, especially since many had returned for subsequent events, leaving her feeling insecure.
The climate for conservative speakers on university campuses has become increasingly troubling since Kirk was murdered. He was shot on September 10 during an event in Utah after a discussion concerning radical ideologies. The suspect, Tyler Robinson, reportedly confessed to the crime and suggested in messages that Kirk’s “hatred” was intolerable.
In the aftermath of Kirk’s death, Gaines expressed concern that many universities might distance themselves from conservative viewpoints, feeling they could be the next target. While she has a number of speaking engagements lined up for the fall, some originally planned with Kirk, the impending arrival of her baby girl adds a layer of anxiety to her schedule. “I don’t like to admit it, but I’m afraid,” she confided, acknowledging the need to consider her family’s safety.
Amidst her reflections, there’s a sense of loss for the mentor she admired. Gaines shared how Kirk helped her grow as a speaker, often offering valuable advice. His unique ability to connect with people, whether they were powerful figures or ordinary students, was something she deeply respected.
