Transphobic former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines had social media users scratching their heads after she took issue with—of all things—the University of Maryland for having Kermit the Frog give a commencement speech at graduation.
It makes sense that Kermit would do so given that his creator, the late puppeteer and animator Jim Henson, graduated from the university. But Gaines said Kermit's inclusion was inappropriate and the time would have been better spent "honoring entrepreneurs or veterans or innovators."
Gaines' remarks came after Kermit made headlines for some lines from his speech:
"As you prepare to take this big leap into real life, here’s a little advice—if you’re willing to listen to a frog. Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side, because life is better when we leap together.”
But Gaines waded into the culture war, calling the speech “unserious, out-of-touch” and “insulting”:
"Imagine being a 22-year-old student who is graduating with your degree in aerospace engineering and a fraud from The Muppets is onstage telling you to stay connected with your people. I mean, you can't even make this up. Instead of honoring entrepreneurs or veterans or innovators, they picked Kermit the Frog."
“We have students who are drowning in debt, who are struggling to find jobs, and universities are handing them out to puppets … I see this as the same institutions who have been pushing political agendas and cancel culture now want to use a puppet to inspire students.”
You can hear what she said in the video below.
Gaines was mocked profusely.
When Gaines—who hosts the Gaines for Girls podcast—isn't attacking Kermit the Frog, she continues to attack transgender people.
Gaines competed for the University of Kentucky NCAA swim team and has made a name for herself by campaigning against the participation of trans women in women's sports, a move that has earned her plaudits from the far-right and guest spots on Fox News.
Gaines has consistently opposed the rights of trans athletes, particularly since her fifth-place tie with trans University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas in the women's 200m freestyle final at the National Collegiate Athletics Association championships. She has argued that sharing fifth place with a trans woman amounts to being deprived of a rightful victory.
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