It’s almost like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was trying to tempt fate, and it worked. This refers to, of course, the reason why Gaetz imploded during a Wednesday night Tucker Carlson interview. The segment had even left the host astounded at what he heard, and Tucker called it “one of the weirdest interviews I’ve ever conducted.” That’s an understatement, but Tucker’s lack of a trademarked-wallpaper face said a lot. Gaetz, who had supposedly been considering leaving Congress to become a Newsmax talking head, had become the subject of a damning New York Times report that detailed allegations of him having a relationship with a 17-year-old girl. The report revealed how the Department of Justice is probing whether Gaetz had violated sex trafficking laws, given that he allegedly paid for the girl to travel with him, and since all of this involves the crossing of state lines, the crimes could be federal. At this time, Gaetz hasn’t been charged with anything, but his talking sure isn’t helping to quell the controversy.
Well, things are even stranger considering that, only a few days ago, Gaetz literally asked for a “Gaetzgate” label on Twitter. In response to Elon Musk doing his wordplay thing on Twitter with a “If there’s ever a scandal about me, *please* call it Elongate,” Gaetz responded, “Deal. I want Gaetzgate.” That tweet has since been deleted, but screencaps exist for posterity. “Be careful what you wish for” is definitely a thing.
Be careful what you wish for.#Gaetzgate pic.twitter.com/X5kOJoTtgP
— Rob Anderson (@RobAnderson2018) March 30, 2021
#GaetzGate pic.twitter.com/cKlnwLZE20
— 𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖 𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 (@Sundae_Gurl) March 31, 2021
A few days ago, Matt Gaetz tweeted that if there’s ever a scandal about him, it should be called Gaetzgate.
Let’s grant his wish. #Gaetzgate
— Leslie (@beachboo7) March 30, 2021
You got it, champ. #Gaetzgate it is pic.twitter.com/o75Bal4kIe
— Jorge A. Caballero, MD (@DataDrivenMD) March 30, 2021
Five days apart. #Gaetzgate #Gaetz pic.twitter.com/5tpZsBVuPR
— Robert Downen (@RobDownenChron) March 30, 2021
Per your own request #Gaetzgate
Say it with me #Gaetzgate https://t.co/0Z0FWnHffn— JF Bello Ⓥ No DMs ally (@FamilyYogaCntr) March 30, 2021
Before his Tucker Carlson interview, the congressman tweeted, “Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name.” He added, “We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter.”
Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name.
We have been cooperating with federal authorities in this matter…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) March 30, 2021
Gaetz attempting to make this argument to Tucker sounded even more bonkers, and it’s telling that Tucker loves to dig into UFOs and will push almost any right-wing conspiracy theory, but not even Tucker wanted to appear sympathetic to whatever Gaetz was trying to sell. And so far, the Republicans in Congress remain silent on the issue.