During testimony before Congress on Tuesday‚ top NCAA swimmer-turned-advocate Riley Gaines responded to the suggestion of another witness that athletes like Gaines learn to “lose gracefully.” Last year‚ Gaines competed in the women’s 200 freestyle at the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships and placed fifth‚ tying with trans-identifying swimmer Lia Thomas‚ who previously competed on men’s teams. Thomas was given the only fifth place trophy for the photo-op after the event‚ while Gaines was told by the NCAA that her trophy would come in the mail. “Just for the record‚ I have lost gracefully many times in my career. Even speaking to the incident of Thomas and I‚ at the national championships‚ we tied for fifth — granted‚ fifth in the entire nation‚ so it’s still an incredible achievement‚” Gaines told Congress. “But there were four women who beat me. I’m incredibly proud of those women who beat me. So‚ I certainly can and have lost gracefully many times in my career.” “When I think of great Kentucky athletes‚ our witness‚ @Riley_Gaines_‚ is the first name that pops out.” @RepJamesComer DESTROYS Democrat witness who suggests talented‚ hardworking women like Riley should “lose gracefully” to biological men. pic.twitter.com/fOBe5xyUNx — Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) December 5‚ 2023 Gaines was joined by three other female witnesses to discuss the Biden administration’s proposed changes to Title IX‚ which would effectively broaden the definition of sex to include “gender identity.” The proposed changes would rewrite Title IX in such a way that policies banning biological males who identify as trans from competing with or against females would now be in violation of law. Issuing such sex distinctions to protect girls sports‚ therefore‚ could strip a school of its funding. The rule would be applied to public K-12 schools‚ colleges‚ universities‚ and other institutions that receive federal funding. Earlier in the hearing‚ a supporter of the Biden Title IX rewrite named Fatima Goss Graves‚ the president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center‚ suggested sex-separated sports actually harm girls and women‚ especially non-white athletes. In her opening statement she also emphasized how sports should teach athletes how to “learn to lose gracefully.” Rep. James Comer (R-KY)‚ when speaking to Gaines‚ blasted Goss Graves for the remarks. “I know we had a witness on the panel who suggested you should have just ‘lost gracefully‚'” the Republican said. “I think that’s a slap in the face to any athlete who works so hard.” As highlighted by The Daily Wire‚ Goss Graves during the same hearing downplayed concerns over biological males in women’s spaces‚ such as locker rooms. “I actually think this is really‚ really important‚” Graves said‚ responding to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). “The issue of privacy in locker rooms and in bathrooms – there’s a wide range of ways to address this. … You could put up a curtain‚ you could put up a door‚ you could have rotations.” At today’s hearing on protecting Title IX‚ the Democrat witness defended men beating down women by competing against them in women’s sports. But even Fatima Goss Graves’ hero‚ tennis star Serena Williams‚ admitted she would be beat in straight sets if she was forced to play… pic.twitter.com/3rqgMNBADK — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 5‚ 2023 Related: WATCH: Sparks Fly Between Riley Gaines And Dem Rep During Hearing On Biden Proposal To Rewrite Title IX

Taylor Swift revealed the surprise gift she received from country singer Kenny Chesney early in her career which she said helped “fuel my dream‚” and she’s never forgotten. As Time magazine’s “Person Of The Year” for 2023‚ the 33-year-old shared a heartbreak she experienced at age 17 that came after she’d scored a coveted spot on Chesney’s tour. “This was going to change my career‚” Swift said. “I was so excited.” However‚ when she arrived home a few weeks later‚ she saw her mom weeping on the steps and said she thought there had been a family emergency. Through the tears‚ Swift learned Chesney’s tour would be sponsored by a beer company‚ and she was too young to join. “I was devastated‚” she added. Time Magazine: We’d like to name you Person of the Yea- Me: Can I bring my cat. https://t.co/SOhkYKSTwG — Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 6‚ 2023 But then‚ a few months later‚ at Swift’s 18th birthday party‚ Chesney’s promoter gave her a card from the country music star that explained how sad he was she wasn’t able to join the tour‚ and he wanted to make it up to her. Inside the card‚ she said‚ was a check. “It was for more money than I’d ever seen in my life‚” Swift told the outlet. “I was able to pay my band bonuses. I was able to pay for my tour buses. I was able to fuel my dreams.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Chesney told the reporter Swift’s story-telling ability is why he gave her the gift all those years ago. “She was a writer who had something to say‚” Chesney said. “That isn’t something you can fake by writing clichés. You can only live it‚ then write it as real as possible.” And while that heartbreak so many years ago seems far off given her insane popularity now‚ Swift said she’s keenly aware “nothing is permanent.” “I’ve been raised up and down the flagpole of public opinion so many times in the last 20 years‚” the “Shake It Off” hitmaker told the outlet. “I’ve been given a tiara‚ then had it taken away.” “So I’m very careful to be grateful every second that I get to be doing this at this level‚ because I’ve had it taken away from me before‚” she added. “There is one thing I’ve learned: My response to anything that happens‚ good or bad‚ is to keep making things‚” Swift continued. “Keep making art. But I’ve also learned there’s no point in actively trying to quote-unquote‚ ‘defeat your enemies.’ Trash takes itself out every single time.” Related: Taylor Swift Named Time’s ‘Person Of The Year’ For 2023: ‘Are You Not Entertained?’

Assistant professor Heidi Matthews (York University’s Osgoode Law School) suggested on Wednesday that while it was horrific to see Hamas terrorists using rape and sexual violence against Israeli women‚ it was also wrong for Israel to cite those atrocities as “justification” for responding with a “prolonged war” against Hamas. “Is wartime sexual violence a horrific crime? YES‚ with no mistake‚” Matthews posted on X‚ adding‚ “But sex exceptionalism is also traditionally used to whip up support for entire military campaigns — we see Israel and the U.S. doing this now to justify a prolonged disproportionate air and ground war.” Is wartime sexual violence a horrific crime? YES‚ with no mistake. But sex exceptionalism is also traditionally used to whip up support for entire military campaigns — we see Israel and the U.S. doing this now to justify a prolonged disproportionate air and ground war. — Heidi Matthews (@Heidi__Matthews) December 5‚ 2023 Matthews went on to explain her position further‚ arguing that because people have a tendency to see violent crimes against women — particularly those of a sexual nature — as more reprehensible than other violent crimes‚ governments funneled that outrage into support for bloody and brutal military campaigns against the offenders. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “Sex exceptionalism underwrites the idea that sexual violence crimes are worse than others‚ and therefore justify harsher retaliation (here‚ via war). This goes back to the essentialist idea that rape is a fate worse than death. None of this is new‚” she said. “Between pretending the rape of Israeli women didn’t happen/is justified and being totally cool with mentally ill men invading women’s spaces/stealing their opportunities for athletic accomplishment‚ ‘feminism’ is proving itself to be a literal joke. You ladies are embarrassing‚” one critic replied. Between pretending the rape of Israeli women didn’t happen/is justified and being totally cool with mentally ill men invading women’s spaces/stealing their opportunities for athletic accomplishment‚ “feminism” is proving itself to be a literal joke. You ladies are embarrassing. https://t.co/2T8N9jHxnQ — CCP IS ASSHOE (@CCPISASSH0E) December 6‚ 2023 Matthews continued to defend her position – namely that an Israeli government bent on war was using the fact that Hamas terrorists had raped Israeli women to stir outrage and then support for whatever they chose to do in response. “I can think of little more disrespectful of the women victims and survivors of sexual violence than the hawkish manipulation of their victimization for the purposes of supporting this horrific war‚” she replied to one critic. “I think it’s absolutely imperative to discuss the role of sex exceptionalism in military imperialism. It is irresponsible not to‚” she said. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly called out international women’s rights organizations for their abject failure to speak up when the victims of rape and sexual violence were Jews‚ Matthews argued that it was proof she had been right. But Netanyahu was not alone. Israeli actress Gal Gadot spoke out as well‚ saying‚ “The world has failed the women of October 7th.”

President Joe Biden claimed on Wednesday that Americans are being suckered by “a bunch of lies” as he faces an impeachment inquiry. A reporter from the New York Post pressed Biden on polling that shows a large part of the U.S. public is concerned that he may have acted illegally or unethically in regards to his family’s foreign business ventures. “Can you explain to Americans‚ amid this impeachment inquiry‚ why you interacted with so many of your son and brother’s foreign business associates?” the reporter‚ Steven Nelson‚ asked. “I’m not going to comment on that. I did not. And it’s just a bunch of lies‚” Biden replied. Nelson tried to get in a follow-up question‚ asking Biden if he “didn’t” interact with any of his family members’ business partners. Biden insisted‚ “I did not‚” as he repeated‚ “they’re lies.” .@NYPost’s @StevenNelson10: [T]here is polling by the Associated Press that shows that almost 70% of Americans‚ including 40% of Democrats‚ believe that you acted either illegally or unethically in regards to your family's business interests. Can you explain to the Americans — to… pic.twitter.com/w1wWBkkbYb — Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 6‚ 2023 For months‚ the GOP-led House has been investigating whether the business practices of Biden’s family members fostered corruption in government — spurred by a money trail showing millions of dollars from foreign countries — and looking into how the Department of Justice has conducted the criminal probe into the president’s son‚ Hunter Biden. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP President Biden and his allies insist there is no wrongdoing by the president and claim the investigative efforts by House Republicans are tainted by politics. But there is evidence of some degree of President Biden having contact with his family’s business associates found in an abandoned laptop that purportedly belonged to Hunter Biden. And congressional investigators have received witness testimony about alleged interactions that may have boosted the lucrative Biden “brand.” Nelson shared on X a reaction from Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY)‚ who leads the impeachment inquiry‚ to Biden’s comments on Wednesday. “We have produced evidence revealing Joe Biden spoke‚ dined‚ took meetings and had coffee with his son’s foreign business associates‚” he said. Comer also said the House is “expected” to vote this month to formalize the impeachment inquiry. Biden’s exchange with Nelson took place shortly after Comer and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) issued a warning to Hunter Biden that he faces the prospect of contempt of Congress proceedings if he does not appear for a deposition this month in compliance with a subpoena.

Every day‚ critics are sounding the alarm more and more about the dangers of pushing children into transgender medicalization. Now‚ doctors who dole out puberty blockers‚ cross-sex hormones‚ and double mastectomies to children and teens are facing a slew of lawsuits from detransitioners‚ young people who previously identified as transgender. The first such lawsuit in the U.S. came from Chloe Cole‚ one of the most prominent detransitioners‚ who sued Kaiser Hospitals in February. Cole was put on puberty blockers at 12‚ cross-sex hormones at 13‚ and had her breasts surgically removed at 15. Now 19‚ Cole has said her transgender medicalization was part of “one of the biggest medical scandals” in American history. Among the damage‚ Cole’s voice is permanently lowered‚ and her fertility status is unknown. “I was fifteen when you cut into my body‚ ripped out my breasts and stitched me back up like I was your rag doll‚” Cole said in February. “You are on the wrong side of history and will always be remembered as child butchers.” Another detransitioner‚ Prisha Mosley‚ 25‚ sued her North Carolina doctors in July over her transgender medical treatments. Mosley was put on testosterone at 17 and had her breasts surgically removed the next year. She says her doctors “lied” and told her testosterone would make her “grow a penis.” Over the years‚ Mosley suffered from anxiety‚ depression‚ suicidal ideation‚ and an eating disorder‚ according to her lawsuit. At 14‚ she also suffered a sexual assault by an older male‚ which resulted in a miscarried pregnancy. At 15‚ she was hospitalized for a week for depression. Nevertheless‚ Mosley’s doctors started her on transgender treatments that did not solve her mental health issues but left her with a lower voice‚ extra body hair‚ a damaged vagina‚ and an unknown fertility status‚ her lawsuit says. Another lawsuit comes from Soren Aldaco‚ a 21-year-old detransitioner‚ who filed a $1 million “gross malpractice” lawsuit against her Texas doctors in July. Aldaco‚ who is autistic‚ was hospitalized with a manic episode at 15. At the hospital‚ she was “coerced” into saying she was transgender‚ her lawsuit says. At 17‚ she was prescribed an “outrageously large” dose of testosterone‚ and at 19‚ she was pressured into a botched double mastectomy with “horrible post-surgical complications” that left her “permanent physical disfigurement‚” the suit says. Isabelle Ayala‚ 20‚ is suing both her doctors and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) over her gender transition. She is the first to target the AAP specifically. At 14‚ Ayala was convinced by doctors to go on cross-sex hormones. At the time‚ she was suffering with suicidal thoughts‚ depression‚ and anxiety. Six months after starting testosterone‚ she attempted suicide. Nevertheless‚ she was kept on cross-sex hormones afterwards. Now‚ Ayala suffers from vaginal atrophy‚ excess facial and body hair‚ a compromised bone structure‚ and unknown fertility. She still suffers episodes of anxiety and depression‚ and she “longs for what could have been and to have her healthy‚ female body back‚” her lawsuit says. Kayla Lovdahl‚ 18‚ also sued Kaiser Hospitals in June for her transgender medical transition. Lovdahl discovered the concept of transgenderism online at age 11 and was put on both puberty blockers and testosterone at age 12. Just six months later at 13‚ she had her breasts surgically removed. Her doctors told her parents that‚ “it’s better to have a live son than a dead daughter‚” her lawsuit alleges. However‚ by 17‚ Lovdahl regretted her transgender medicalization. Both puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones come with serious health risks. Puberty blockers can affect bone growth and density and cause sexual dysfunction‚ voice damage‚ and infertility among other issues. Cross-sex hormones can cause infertility‚ deadly blood clots‚ heart attacks‚ increased cancer risks of the breasts and ovaries‚ liver dysfunction‚ worsening psychological illness‚ and other serious conditions. The number of gender surgeries nearly tripled in the U.S. from 2016 to 2019‚ according to an analysis published in August in JAMA Network Open. In 2016‚ there were about 4‚550 procedures‚ and that number spiked to around 13‚000 in 2019. Hundreds of teen girls in the U.S.‚ some as young as 12‚ have gotten elective‚ gender-related double mastectomies to remove their healthy breasts over the last few years. Meanwhile‚ it is more popular than ever for youth to adopt new gender identities. An estimated 300‚000 minors aged 13 to 17 identified as transgender as of last year. If you are having thoughts of suicide‚ call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or go to  SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.