Danica Patrick Tells Riley Gaines There Are 'Clear Biological Differences' Between Males, Females

Riley Gaines, a vocal advocate for keeping biological males out of women’s sports, teamed up with former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick to discuss the contentious topic on the "Gaines for Girls" podcast. The two shared their concerns over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, a debate that has only grown more heated since Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer, secured a Division I NCAA championship.

Patrick, who knows what it’s like to be a woman navigating a male-dominated sport, didn’t hold back in expressing her stance. "I think it’s ironic that I’m passionate about that because I was a girl in a guys’ sport," she said. But Patrick made it clear that her support for preserving women’s sports is not just about personal experience—it’s about biology.

"There are just clear biological differences between the two," she stated firmly, adding that anyone curious about the impact of transition drugs could easily find evidence online. "Whether it be strength, libido, or just all the changes that end up happening – hormones play a huge role. Hormones, to a large degree, create your personality, and they definitely drive biology. So there’s just some clear differences. When it comes to strength and pure potential there, there’s just no question that guys are able to achieve more than women."

Patrick’s frustration with the issue even motivated her to vote for the first time in her life during the last election. Her comments come as debates over transgender athletes rage on, with President Donald Trump recently signing an executive order to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women’s sports. Despite this, at least three states—California, Minnesota, and Maine—have defied the order, prompting investigations by the Department of Education. Maine, in particular, has become a flashpoint after a heated exchange between Trump and Gov. Janet Mills.

During a joint address to Congress on Tuesday, Trump doubled down on his stance, warning that states ignoring the executive order could face a loss of federal funding. This issue is clearly far from settled, and it’s shaping up to be a defining cultural and political battle.