As the dust settles on the 2024 U.S. Presidential elections, some reactions are more fiery than others—and no, we’re not talking about the losing candidate. This time, it’s WNBA star Angel Reese, who didn’t hold back after Donald Trump’s victory, while outspoken activist and former swimmer Riley Gaines chimed in with a sarcastic twist.
Reese, the Chicago Sky forward known for her candor, took to X (formerly Twitter) to air her frustrations after the results dropped. The 22-year-old wasn’t exactly feeling the American spirit when she wrote:
“I’m so disappointed in America….Some of you just couldn’t selfishly put your pride aside huh??!?!?”
Ouch. Seems like Reese was hoping for a different outcome in what was clearly a high-stakes matchup—not on the court this time, but in the voting booths. The electoral showdown ended with Donald Trump reclaiming the Oval Office, winning 295 electoral votes to Kamala Harris’ 226. Yup, history repeats itself as Trump becomes the second president ever, after Grover Cleveland, to snag two non-consecutive terms.
Enter Riley Gaines. If you’ve been following her social media, you know Gaines isn’t exactly a wallflower when it comes to political hot topics. And when she saw Reese’s lament, she swooped in with a response that was equal parts spicy and sports-savvy:
“The person you voted for wants to put LeBron on the court with you lol.”
Shots fired! Gaines, known for her strong stance on keeping transgender athletes out of women’s sports, has been riding shotgun with Trump on this issue for a while. Apparently, she couldn’t resist pulling LeBron James—of all people—into this political tussle. The comment might have you wondering: Is this the kind of fantasy basketball game no one asked for?
Kamala Harris’ Concession: When Losing Looks Good?
On the flip side, Kamala Harris’ reaction to the election results was surprisingly graceful, considering the stakes. In her concession speech, she wished Trump well, rallied her base, and defended her policies. Even Riley Gaines, who rarely lets an opportunity to criticize Harris slip, couldn’t help but give a backhanded compliment:
“Fantastic speech by Kamala Harris. By far the best she’s looked in the public eye… I wish she gave this speech last night.”
But, Gaines being Gaines, didn’t leave it at that. In a follow-up tweet, she threw in a cheeky jab:
“Honestly, Kamala’s concession speech sounded great. She’s much better at losing than she is at winning. Trump is the opposite. That’s what makes him such a great President.”
Cue the mic drop.
The former NCAA swimmer has long been critical of Harris’ policies, especially her endorsement of Title IX changes that Gaines believes harm women’s sports. But, in true Gaines fashion, even a moment of praise comes with a twist of the knife.
The Bigger Picture: Trump’s Win and the Sports World
So, where does this leave us? With Trump back in the White House, expect debates about gender in sports to heat up like never before. After all, both Trump and Gaines have been vocal about their belief that allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports is unfair. And with Gaines’ sarcasm already flying, it looks like Angel Reese and others might have to brace themselves for more Twitter battles than basketball games this season.
As for LeBron, who was unwittingly dragged into this showdown—well, maybe we’ll see him make a guest appearance in the WNBA after all.
