Social Media Has Strong Reactions To Matt Gaetz Ethics Report
The release of the House Ethics Committee’s report about former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz caused quite a stir on social media.
Of course, that was expected to happen considering the report is chock full of shocking allegations that Gaetz violated House rules “prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress” ― as well as basic rules of conduct.
The report noted that Gaetz paid out $90,000 to 12 women that the Committee “determined were likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use” ― including a 17-year-old.
Gaetz himself quickly took to X, formerly Twitter, to contest various parts of the report. In one post, he insisted that the money he gave the women didn’t count as paying for sex:
Giving funds to someone you are dating - that they didn’t ask for - and that isn’t “charged” for sex is now prostitution?!?
Giving funds to someone you are dating - that they didn’t ask for - and that isn’t “charged” for sex is now prostitution?!?
There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge… pic.twitter.com/HzWODpBBB9— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 23, 2024
Other people had different opinions about the report.
I guess this Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz puts in context why he was the only vote against the 2017 Human Trafficking Bill...
Because he was enjoying the ugly fruits of human trafficking with underage prostitutes. https://t.co/xRRRKhIddn— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) December 23, 2024
The House Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz is everything Republicans dreamed Hunter Biden’s laptop would be.
— Andrea Junker (@Strandjunker) December 23, 2024
This report is beyond disturbing. It alleges criminal acts, including with a minor.
And Gaetz is the guy Trump initially wanted to be his Attorney General.
God help us. https://t.co/HMUmvS3D7s— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) December 23, 2024
Many implications of this becoming official, but one of the non-legal ones is that Gaetz’s career in elected office is probably done.
Virtually no chance he wins the 2026 Florida gubernatorial primary (unless Trump pulls out all the stops for him and the field is split). https://t.co/gmhccUvqmn— Lakshya Jain (@lxeagle17) December 23, 2024
The official report says Matt Gaetz drugged and r@ped a child. Now watch all the MAGA Christians rally around him.
— Liam Nissan™ (@theliamnissan) December 23, 2024
Somewhere Kevin McCarthy is reading the Matt Gaetz report and smiling. pic.twitter.com/tH4KVvjghe
— Free (@KaladinFree) December 23, 2024
Of course, the House ethics report should basically destroy Matt Gaetz’s personal and professional life. But in today’s right wing media industrial ecosphere, it probably won’t. pic.twitter.com/0XLSjwdt8P
— Russell Drew (@RussOnPolitics) December 18, 2024
