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Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz is garnering heavy criticism after he appeared to compare the Taliban favorably to former President Donald Trump and claimed both are "more legitimate" than the Biden administration.
Gaetz made the claim on Wednesday, August 18 in response to an article from the right-wing blog The Drill Down that had been shared by Fox News personality Sean Hannity.
The Drill Down's staff criticized Twitter for banning ex-President Trump for inciting the Capitol riot but allowing Taliban spokespeople to still use the platform.
Gaetz weighed in, arguing both the Taliban and Trump should be allowed to use Twitter:
"[The] Taliban and Trump should both be on Twitter."
"[They are] More legitimate than the last government in Afghanistan or the current government here."
Taliban and Trump should both be on Twitter.\n\nMore legitimate than the last government in Afghanistan or the current government here.https://twitter.com/seanhannity/status/1428050656435314697\u00a0\u2026— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@Rep. Matt Gaetz) 1629310072
Gaetz received scathing criticism for his remarks and was accused of sympathizing with terrorist groups.
Not surprising how people like Boebert, Gaetz, and the so called \u201cPatriots\u201d of this country are in support of terrorists. This is the scum of the earth folks. If you think like him, you should be ashamed, it\u2019s gross!https://twitter.com/repmattgaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— Lebo rules (@Lebo rules) 1629386979
And people say a Taliban-like overthrow couldn\u2019t never happen in the US. The 1/6 insurrection attempt was only the beginning. American democracy is truly teetering on the edge when traitors in govt like Matt Gaetz side with terrorists.https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— \u26a1\ufe0fMister Resister\u26a1\ufe0f (@\u26a1\ufe0fMister Resister\u26a1\ufe0f) 1629386891
Ladies and gentlemen\u2026 the @GOP openly and enthusiastically support the Taliban. \n\nUnreal. \n\nWhy isn\u2019t @mattgaetz in jail yet anyways?! Maybe he can get a suite-cell and share it with his buddies he mentioned below?https://twitter.com/repmattgaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— Wine & True Crime, Bed by 9 \ud83d\udece (@Wine & True Crime, Bed by 9 \ud83d\udece) 1629387040
Who is really in the Congress of the United States? These people are a damn disgrace!https://twitter.com/repmattgaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— Truthseeker (@Truthseeker) 1629340848
I would have never believed it possible for elected official @RepMattGaetz to stoop any lower, to be even less patriotic, until he began rooting for a global terrorist group whose agenda is to annihilate America. #GOPDomesticTerroristshttps://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— K.C. Banks - Chronic Re-Tweeter (@K.C. Banks - Chronic Re-Tweeter) 1629317574
Others drew comparisons between the Taliban's inhumane treatment of women and the federal sex trafficking of a minor investigation in which Gaetz has been embroiled.
Noted sex trafficker, @RepMattGaetz, publicly sides with America's enemies, foreign and domestic.\n\n#AmericanTaliban\n\n@FBIWFO @FBIhttps://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— Richard L Adlof (@Richard L Adlof) 1629388140
How are you on Twitter? I thought you got arrested for sex trafficking...https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— Sean Sedillo (@Sean Sedillo) 1629323878
Here is Gaetz suggesting that the Taliban is a "more legitimate" government than the US Government. \n\nNow we ask: \n\nWhat does this pedo #Insurrectionist clown know about foreign policy and how can he claim to uphold his Oath to the Constitution if he believes this bullshit?https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— Mission Critical (@Mission Critical) 1629387789
Matt gaetz is a traitor to America who\u2019s come out as pro taliban in addition to the child sex trafficking allegations\u2026 and he is still representing Florida in the house ?!https://twitter.com/repmattgaetz/status/1428056066269581313\u00a0\u2026— Frank Drake (@Frank Drake) 1629345489
Spokesmen for the Taliban used Twitter to broadcast updates to hundreds of thousands of followers. Twitter has not commented explicitly about the Taliban's use of its platform.
When asked for comment, a Twitter spokesperson pointed to the company's standards against hate speech.
"The situation in Afghanistan is rapidly evolving. We're also witnessing people in the country using Twitter to seek help and assistance."
"Twitter's top priority is keeping people safe, and we remain vigilant."
"We will continue to proactively enforce our rules and review content that may violate Twitter Rules, specifically policies against glorification of violence, platform manipulation and spam."
Federal authorities are investigating Gaetz on child sex trafficking charges after it emerged the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a probe into whether he paid a 17-year-old girl and took her across state lines for sexual purposes.
Gaetz denied allegations he violated sex trafficking laws and engaged in other sexual misconduct while in office by citing the age of consent.
In May, Gaetz's associate Joel Greenberg, a former tax collector in Seminole County, Florida, formally pleaded guilty to six federal charges, including sex trafficking of a minor.
He also pleaded guilty to producing a false identification document, identity theft, wire fraud, stalking and conspiracy.
Though Gaetz repeatedly defended Trump, the former President and his allies have reportedly chosen to distance themselves from Gaetz after news of the DOJ's investigation emerged.
Trump also denied Gaetz directly asked him for a blanket pardon after The New York Timesreported Gaetz met with him and his associates.