Riley Gaines Insta
Outspoken athlete and conservative firebrand Riley Gaines didn’t hold back when she weighed in—literally and figuratively—on New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani’s now-viral gym flop. Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist and State Assemblyman, became the subject of widespread mockery after a failed attempt to bench press a modest 135 pounds during a public event in Brooklyn.
Gaines, known for both her athletic prowess and her unapologetic political voice, especially when it comes to protecting women’s sports and calling out progressive double standards, joined the growing chorus of critics after footage of Mamdani’s gym fail spread like wildfire online.
In a tweet that quickly gained traction, Gaines posted a clip from her own training days, benching a solid 165 pounds while weighing just 130. “Take note, Zohran Mamdani,” she captioned the post, a not-so-subtle jab at the assemblyman who struggled under 30 pounds less weight—with assistance.
“I’m not saying we should judge politicians for how much they can bench,” Gaines added pointedly on X, “but I’m absolutely judging a politician for how much he can bench.” The dig resonated across conservative circles, drawing attention not just to Mamdani’s physical weakness, but to the larger narrative about leadership, strength, and resilience—qualities many on the right feel are in short supply among far-left candidates like Mamdani.
It’s worth noting that Gaines is not new to political commentary. After gaining national recognition as a former NCAA swimmer, she rose to prominence by challenging the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports. Gaines became a household name after standing her ground against Lia Thomas, the controversial transgender swimmer who dominated NCAA women’s events. Gaines’ message—firm, fair, and biologically grounded—struck a nerve, and she has since become a strong voice in the cultural debate around gender, fairness, and women’s rights.
The Mamdani bench press blunder also drew the attention of some of his political adversaries, with New York Mayor Eric Adams—no stranger to flexing both his muscles and his political influence—taking the opportunity to highlight the contrast. Adams, who also participated in the event, posted a clip of himself pressing the same weight with ease and without a spotter doing the heavy lifting.
This is a joke, right? https://t.co/fU19s2i21J
— thedailybs w/ Snerdley (@thedailybs_Bo) August 25, 2025
“64 vs 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves,” Adams wrote on X. He didn’t stop there. With surgical political precision, he added, “The weight of the job is too heavy for ‘Mamscrawny.’ The only thing he can lift is your taxes.”
Even former Governor Andrew Cuomo couldn’t resist chiming in. “This guy can’t bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world,” he said, adding further pressure on Mamdani’s already floundering public image.
The backlash is about more than just a failed lift. For many, especially conservatives, Mamdani’s physical weakness is symbolic of a broader ideological fragility. Here’s a man who champions radical ideas—redistribution, defunding police, and expanded entitlements—but appears unable to shoulder the most basic symbol of individual strength and discipline. In a political landscape where grit matters, Mamdani’s display would be, at best, uninspiring and at worst, disqualifying.
