Former Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz was widely mocked after he made a transphobic claim about Democrats in response to remarks from X user and lifelong Florida Republican Robbie G. Smither, who earlier shared a video about why he's voting Democrat for the first time in his life.
In his post, Smither criticized President Donald Trump when he announced that "when I vote for a Democrat, [Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly], for the first time in my 41 years of life this November, it will not be because my values have changed, but because my party has abandoned our values for the sycophancy of a transactional leader who has none."
Smither also said he could end up voting for Mike Beltran’s Democratic opponent, Kathy Castor, despite previously committing to support the Republican congressional nominee.
Gaetz was unnerved by this news and chimed in to beg Smither not to vote for Democrats because of transgender kids:
"Bro we need your vote. I hate the war too. But the Democrats want to trans your kids."
You can see his post below.
Gaetz's post prompted wider criticism of the GOP from X user and self-proclaimed "America First" commentator Tony Rigatoni, who commented:
"Please bro I know we have given you nothing for the past 20 years but bro please just vote for us one more time. The democrats want to trans your kids. Just one more war for Israel and then we will deport them all please bro."
You can see his post below.
Gaetz's accusation that Democrats want to "trans" other people's children is pure projection.
Gaetz was previously the subject of a Justice Department investigation into alleged sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl and has faced scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee over accusations of sexual misconduct.
An official committee report determined that he routinely paid women for "engaging in sexual activity," had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl, used or possessed illegal drugs, accepted gifts exceeding House limits, and assisted a woman in obtaining a passport.
Gaetz resigned in November 2024, just days before the report was set to be released and after Trump nominated him for U.S. Attorney General. A week later, Gaetz withdrew from consideration for the post. He has denied the committee's findings, claiming the investigation was biased and conducted unfairly.
He was mocked profusely.
If this is the best the GOP can do, then they must be panicking about the midterms.
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