Podcast Summary: The Truth About the Rise in Trans Violence

The Riley Gaines Show | Host: Riley Gaines

Episode Date: February 18, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Riley Gaines tackles the sensitive and increasingly discussed subject of violence connected to individuals who identify as transgender. Drawing from recent high-profile news stories—school and family shootings involving trans-identified individuals—Gaines argues that there is a concerning trend of violence within the trans community and examines why, in her view, this is not surprising. She provides her perspective as an advocate involved in the gender ideology debate, referencing cultural, political, and medical factors. She also scrutinizes media coverage and discusses societal responses, while drawing on insights from conservative commentators like Matt Walsh and Charlie Kirk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recent Incidents as Catalysts

• Riley opens by referencing two recent mass shootings in Canada and Rhode Island, both involving "men dressed like women," which she identifies as trans-identified males.
• She expresses frustration that mainstream media seemingly ignores such incidents unless they fit a particular narrative (straight white male perpetrators).
  • Quote [02:10]:

    "Mainstream media seemingly only cares, especially left wing mainstream media... when it's a straight white man who commits mass homicide." (Riley Gaines)

2. Framing Transgender Identity and Violence

• Gaines asserts:
  • Denial of basic sex-based reality is linked to the possibility of justifying any belief or action, including violence.
  • The trans violent rate is "off the charts" per capita, citing high-profile shootings in Minneapolis, Denver, and Nashville.
• She strongly draws parallels to "two plus two equals five" from George Orwell’s 1984, equating gender ideology to dangerous unreality.
  • Quote [06:45]:

    "If you deny that men and women are physically different … it's similar to denying the sky is blue. That is gender ideology." (Riley Gaines)

3. Morality, Justification, and Hate

• Gaines argues that some trans activists believe words—such as referring to someone by biological pronouns—are violence, and therefore feel morally justified in violent retaliation.
• She shares personal anecdotes about receiving death threats from trans activists.
  • Quote [12:30]:

    "They believe that their feelings and their right to affirmation supersedes your right to even be alive." (Riley Gaines)

4. Citing Conservative Thought Leaders

• Repeated references to Matt Walsh and Charlie Kirk.
  • Gaines claims that Walsh's warnings of trans-motivated violence have now been “completely vindicated.”
  • Discusses what she sees as a tendency—even among conservatives—to "conflate kindness with affirmation."

5. Symbolism, Political Messaging & Violence

• Discussion of left-wing imagery: shirts worn by public officials like Peggy Flanagan (Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota) with "Protect Trans Kids" and a knife, interpreted by Gaines as a direct call to violence.
  • Quote [19:27]:

    "This is a publicly elected official. What precisely does she think she's advocating for here? ... I really don't think it's indirect." (Riley Gaines)

6. Medicalization and Mental Health

• Gaines criticizes the medical establishment for giving cross-sex hormones ("copious, unregulated" amounts) to what she describes as "delusional, broken, manipulated" young people, especially those with existing mental suffering and trauma.
• She draws attention to the known links between steroids/testosterone and aggression ("roid rage"), then connects this to the potential for violence among transitioning individuals.
• References the "suicide narrative" as emotionally manipulative and cites a study (without specifying details) claiming transition increases suicide risk 19-fold.

7. The Affirmation Model and Its Dangers

• Riley questions the wisdom of "affirmation-at-all-costs" models, claiming that affirming unstable identities does harm.
  • Quote [38:05]:

    "By being what they call accepting, we really only deepen the eventual damage that is lurking under the surface." (Riley Gaines)

8. Gun Control vs. Mental Health

• She rejects gun control as an answer, citing existing laws in Canada and Rhode Island.
  • Argues it’s "not the guns that's killing innocent people, it's the mentally ill, the mentally unstable people behind the gun pulling the trigger."
  • Quote [48:21]:

    "Just like the fork doesn't make you fat, it's the person holding the fork." (Riley Gaines)

9. Media Language and Bias

• Critiques police and media for using terms like "gun person" out of fear of misgendering, viewing this as disrespectful to victims.
  • Quote [52:57]:

    "Honestly, if you hear the word gunman and you're offended, may I suggest going to touch grass? You are the problem."

• Argues the press would cover such events differently if the victims were trans rather than perpetrators, declaring this a symptom of societal decline.
  • Quote [55:58]:

    "When the public square is more sensitive to the murderer than the victims, that's when you know that society is over." (Riley Gaines)

10. "Solution" Proposals

• Riley floats "opening the asylums" as a potential solution, referencing recent announcements by Donald Trump.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [06:45]: "If you deny that men and women are physically different … it's similar to denying the sky is blue. That is gender ideology."
• [12:30]: "They believe that their feelings and their right to affirmation supersedes your right to even be alive."
• [19:27]: "This is a publicly elected official... I really don't think it's indirect."
• [38:05]: "By being what they call accepting, we really only deepen the eventual damage that is lurking under the surface."
• [48:21]: "Just like the fork doesn't make you fat, it's the person holding the fork."
• [52:57]: "If you hear the word gunman and you're offended, may I suggest going to touch grass? You are the problem."
• [55:58]: "When the media... is more sensitive to the murderer than the victims, that's when you know that society is over."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:34] – Introduction, overview of recent shootings in Canada and Rhode Island.
• [05:45] – Gaines’ argument equating gender ideology to denial of basic reality, 1984 comparison.
• [10:20] – Claims about moral justification and hate among trans activists.
• [19:00] – Political imagery and symbolism: Peggy Flanagan and activist T-shirts.
• [23:45] – Hormonal treatment, abuse, and the link to violence and mental instability.
• [32:10] – Suicide narrative and critiques of affirmation model.
• [42:15] – Details on the specific Canada and Rhode Island shootings.
• [48:21] – Arguments against gun control, mental health as the root issue.
• [52:57] – Media language, police using the term “gun person.”
• [55:58] – Broader media/ societal failure and proposed solutions (asylums).

Tone and Language

• Forthright, direct, and blunt.
• Combines personal anecdote with political and cultural commentary.
• Frequently references personal faith and family; closes with a religious appeal.

Summary

Riley Gaines presents a stark, controversial perspective on the intersection of transgender identity and violent crime, attributing a rise in trans violence to the denial of biological reality, flaws in "affirmation" therapy, and misguided cultural narratives. The episode heavily criticizes mainstream media, left-wing politics, and the medical industry while lifting up voices like Matt Walsh and Charlie Kirk as “vindicated” in these discussions. Listeners are left with a call to "speak the truth," resist cultural trends of affirmation, and, in Gaines’ view, return to grounded truths anchored in faith and family.