Riley Gaines, a conservative activist and former swimmer, has taken a sharp jab at NYC mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani’s lackluster gym performance.
The New York Post reported that Gaines's viral video, showcasing her bench pressing 165 pounds, stands in stark contrast to Mamdani’s struggle with a lighter weight. It’s a moment that’s less about iron and more about political iron will.
At a Brooklyn campaign event on Saturday, August 23, 2025, Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, faltered while attempting to bench press 135 pounds.
Gaines, who lifted more than her 130-pound body weight in a 2022 video, shared her feat to highlight Mamdani’s weakness. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about leadership and grit.
Gaines didn’t hold back, posting, “165lb relatively easy reps on a bench when I weighed 130lbs.” Her quip, “Take note, Zohran Mamdani,” drips with polite scorn, suggesting physical strength mirrors mental fortitude. While her jab is witty, it risks reducing a complex campaign to a gym showdown.
Mamdani’s struggle at the Men’s Day open streets event required a spotter’s help to lift the 135-pound bar. The image of him floundering under the weight became instant fodder for rivals. It’s a visual that screams vulnerability in a city that demands resilience.
Mayor Eric Adams, a rival in the mayoral race, effortlessly pumped out multiple reps with the same 135 pounds. Adams seized the moment, stating, “64 vs 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon.” His words frame Mamdani as out of touch, though they gloss over policy substance for a cheap shot.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo piled on, declaring, “This guy can’t bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world.”
Cuomo’s barb is clever but sidesteps the real issues facing New Yorkers. Leadership isn’t measured in pounds lifted, yet the optics sting.
Gaines rose to prominence after tying for fifth place with transgender athlete Lia Thomas in a 2022 collegiate swimming race.
Her outspoken criticism of Thomas, the first openly trans woman champion in the NCAA women’s division, has made her a conservative darling. She’s not afraid to stir the pot, and this gym jab fits her brand.
Gaines’ video isn’t just about lifting weights; it’s a calculated move to spotlight perceived weakness. “I’m not saying we should judge politicians for how much they can bench, but I’m absolutely judging a politician for how much he can bench,” she said. It’s a zinger that lands, but does it elevate the discourse?
Mamdani’s campaign, focused on progressive policies, now faces an unexpected hurdle: public perception of his physicality.
The gym fails, while trivial in policy terms, feeds a narrative of fragility. In a city as tough as New York, that’s a tough image to shake.
Adams didn’t stop at his age jab, adding, “The results speak for themselves.” His contrast of “hard work” versus “silver spoon” paints Mamdani as an elitist, a charge that stings in populist times. Yet, Adams’ focus on gym prowess risks alienating voters who care more about subway safety than bench press records.
Cuomo’s critique cuts deeper, framing Mamdani as unfit for the “weight of the job.” His line, “The only thing he can lift is your taxes,” is a masterclass in political shade. It’s sharp, but it sidesteps substantive debate for a memorable soundbite.
Mamdani’s struggle isn’t just physical; it’s symbolic in a race where strength—literal and figurative—matters. The event, meant to showcase community engagement, instead exposed him to ridicule. He’ll need to pivot fast to reclaim the narrative.
Gaines’ video, while a jab at Mamdani, also underscores her role as a conservative provocateur. Her criticism of progressive policies, from transgender sports participation to now, Mamdani’s campaign, keeps her in the spotlight. But does it move the needle beyond social media likes?
The mayoral race is heating up, and this gym episode is a distraction from pressing issues like crime and housing. Adams and Cuomo’s pile-on shows how quickly optics can overshadow policy. Voters deserve better than a campaign measured in gym reps.
