Riley Gaines responds after Trump dismisses criticism of AI Jesus post

Political and anti-trans activist Riley Gaines quickly pivoted from criticism to praise of President Donald Trump after he fired back at a comment she made dismissing his now-deleted AI Jesus image.

The post drew scrutiny from Gaines and other religious conservatives who have been some of Trump’s strongest supporters, with throngs speaking out against his social media meme of himself depicted as Jesus Christ.

When asked about the post on April 13, Trump disputed he was trying to compare himself to Jesus. "I thought it was me as a doctor," the president told reporters at the White House. "It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better."

Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has campaigned against transgender women competing in women’s sports, questioned Trump's motive for the post.

"Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why he'd post this," Gaines posted on X on April 13. "A little humility would serve him well."

Trump then brushed his long-time supporter off.

"I didn't listen to Riley Gaines," Trump told CBS News. "I'm not a big fan of Riley, actually."

"I love the President and I'm so grateful he's in the Oval Office," Gaines responded the same day on social media, praising Trump for removing the post.

"Of course, I'll continue to support him and the America First agenda. At the end of the day, I do nothing for the approval of man. Our purpose on this earth is to glorify Him in all we do. The truth social post missed the mark. It's now deleted. Amazing!"

Gaines ended the post expressing her desire to spend eternity "in a real place called Heaven."

"I'd love for Trump to be there too. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life," she wrote. "I'll keep doing my part by speaking truth & doing my best to lead others to Christ."

Who is Riley Gaines?

Gaines, a 25-year-old conservative podcaster and speaker who lives in Nashville, is an ex NCAA swimmer.

She attended the University of Kentucky, is the host of the OutKick and Fox Nation podcast and also hosts The Riley Gaines Show.

She built her political platform after criticizing the National Collegiate Athletic Association for allowing the University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, to compete in the women's division.

She has consistently criticized transgender women athletes since tying Thomas for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle at the NCAAA championships in 2022.

Contributing: Diana Leyva and Angele Latham with The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.