Pablo Torre and Riley Gaines have been dragged into a bitter social media feud over an investigation by the ex-ESPN star.
Torre is an award-winning reporter who has released explosive investigations into the likes of Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson.
But he has come under fire over his detailed report on Gaines, a former college swimmer who has become one of the most outspoken advocates for keeping transgender athletes out of women’s sports.
Gaines has risen to prominence since competing against Lia Thomas – the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship – while at the University of Kentucky. Torre accused her of embarking on a ‘grift,’ pointing out that Gaines was once paid $25,000 for one speech.
He also questioned why she has not been more outspoken about her former coach Lars Jorgensen. The US Center for SafeSport last month ruled ex-Kentucky swim coach Jorgensen is ‘permanently ineligible’ due to sexual violence. His misconduct allegedly includes sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
Gaines called it a ‘baseless hit piece,’ claiming: ‘[A] six-month “investigation” for that? To find out I have a job that pays me? Ground-breaking discovery, truly.
Pablo Torre has come under fire over his six-month investigation into Riley Gaines
Ex-college swimmer Gaines (R) rose to prominence after competing against Lia Thomas (L)
Megyn Kelly and Clay Travis are among the others who have hit out at Torre over his reporting
‘When you know you’re on the right side of history, the smears don’t matter. Try harder, @PabloTorre.’
Outkick founder Clay Travis and conservative commentator Megyn Kelly are among the others who have hit out at Torre over his reporting.
‘There is a long, ridiculous hit piece by a far left [publication] and a sports journo right now attacking Riley Gaines,’ Kelly said.
‘Her big sin is apparently… she gets paid for speeches/the work she does standing up for women. A swing & a pathetic miss. Riley is a [national] treasure.’
Travis, meanwhile, claimed Travis’ report was ’embarrassing.’
He wrote on X: ‘Your “big investigation” uncovered that Riley Gaines is paid to share her story and that being forced to compete against a man in an NCAA swimming championship changed her perspective on trans issues.’
Torre hit back at Travis, citing comments made by one of Gaines’ college teammate told him.
‘You forgot something (re: predators in women’s sports),’ Torre said. ‘Here’s what Riley’s former UK teammate and friend told us about their head coach, Lars Jorgensen: “It’s hard for me to care about Riley Gaines tying for 5th when my swim coach is accused of raping my teammates”‘