Riley Gaines has drawn attention for her response to news that Euphoria star Hunter Schafer underwent gender-affirming surgery in December 2025. Gaines, a former competitive swimmer and conservative commentator, shared her reaction in a post on X after TMZ reported on Schafer's disclosure. 'Cool he's still a dude,' Gaines wrote, referring to the actress's surgery.
Schafer, 27, revealed that she had undergone the procedure in an interview with Elle published on Monday, 19 October. The actress said the experience had been positive and discussed how her understanding of gender and her own identity had evolved. The disclosure brought renewed attention to Schafer's personal experience as a transgender woman, while Gaines's response added a public reaction to the discussion.
Cool he's still a dude https://t.co/hwf55ENpMD
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) October 19, 2026
Hunter Schafer Discusses Her Surgery
In the Elle interview, Schafer explained that she had previously tried to embrace her body as it was, describing her interest in the gender-expansive aspects of her identity. 'For a long time I've embraced the gender-expansive part of myself, and I really wanted to try to make that previous body work, because I thought there was something really cool and badass about it,' she told the magazine.
Schafer ultimately decided that medical transition was the right choice for her. She described the surgery positively, saying she was happy with the results.
The actress also addressed her identity directly during the interview, saying, 'I'm a woman. I'm a girl.' She emphasised that transgender people's experiences and decisions are not necessarily the same.
The surgery took place in December 2025, with Schafer discussing the experience publicly in October 2026. She also recalled the limitations she faced during recovery, including being restricted to approximately 150 steps a day.
Who Is Riley Gaines?
Gaines is a former University of Kentucky swimmer who became a prominent public figure after competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships.
A 12-time NCAA All-American, Gaines has since focused on advocacy surrounding women's sports, sex-based eligibility rules and transgender participation in female sporting categories. She has also become a conservative commentator and podcast host.
Her public profile has been closely associated with debates about transgender inclusion in sport and the definition of sex in competition. Her response to Schafer's surgery disclosure reflects her engagement with wider discussions about gender identity.
Gaines's post on X drew attention to the actress's medical disclosure, using a brief statement to express her view of Schafer's gender identity. The post referred to the surgery report rather than providing further details about the procedure itself.
Hunter Schafer's Career and Public Profile
Schafer rose to prominence playing Jules Vaughn in HBO's drama series Euphoria, appearing alongside Zendaya and other members of the show's cast. She has also worked as a model and appeared in films, including The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
The actress has previously spoken publicly about being transgender, although she has also expressed frustration with the way discussions of her identity can overshadow her acting career. Her latest interview addressed both her personal experiences and her evolving understanding of herself. By sharing details of her surgery, Schafer offered an account of a decision she had previously kept private. The disclosure has prompted responses from public figures, including Gaines, adding another exchange to the ongoing public debate surrounding transgender identity and gender-affirming healthcare.
