Retired American swimmer Riley Gaines, who is known for sharing her unfiltered thoughts and her critique of the current vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, has once again shared her opinion on VP-promoting medical care for women dealing with health issues post-abortion. The incident took place after Harris recently visited a non-profit healthcare facility that ensures medical services are available for everyone and extended her support to the organization.
However, it seems Harris' support for the facility might have triggered Gaines, especially considering abortion is an illegal practice. Gaines called out Harris for not sending an ideal message to the community.
Gaines sends a powerful message
On Sunday, December 29, Kamala Harris shared a video on her X handle (formerly Twitter) featuring Dr. Sarah Traxler of the Planned Parenthood North Central States. In the video, Dr. Traxler explained the ethical dilemma her associates face in providing healthcare to women dealing with the issues after abortion. She emphasized that medical attention should be accessible to all women regardless of their history with abortion.
Posting the video Harris wrote:
"Every woman in every state must have the freedom to make decisions about her own body. I am proud to stand with Dr. Traxler and health care providers across our nation in the fight for reproductive freedom."
The tweet caught the attention of Riley Gaines, who later reposted it on her handle and criticized the term "reproductive freedom" by reframing the concept of freedom in the context of reproduction and abortion. The University of Kentucky swimmer argued that the "reproductive freedom" phrase was misleading as it conflates the idea of conceiving a child with the act of terminating the pregnancy.
""Reproductive freedom" is such misleading verbiage. Every single woman has the freedom to reproduce if they are capable and choose to do so. What no woman or human should have the freedom to do is prematurely end the life of a developing child," Gaines wrote in the tweet.
This was not the first time when Gaines called out Harris publicly, but she has been seen asking her questions on numerous instances, which especially came to light during Harris' presidential election campaign against Donald Trump.