Florida Republican Representative Matt Gaetz gave the internet another round of heebie-jeebies this week after a photo of him hovering behind his wife Ginger Luckey while she took a mirror selfie appeared on social media.
In the photo, seen below, Gaetz looms over Luckey like a predator, making for an image many found entirely too on-brand given the sex trafficking allegations against him.
This is what happens when you look in a mirror and say “Florida Man” three times. https://t.co/A4mZGQrEl4— The Lincoln Project (@The Lincoln Project) 1631058121.0
This is only the latest deeply creepy incident relating to Gaetz and his new wife. A few weeks ago, Gaetz posted a deeply unflattering photo of Luckey without her permission, while she slept on a plane en route to their elopement last month in Southern California.
Combined with a caption that jokingly referred to the photo as evidence of his wife's good looks, the post seemed to be an attempt by Gaetz to mock his new wife, which struck many as evidence of a fundamental disrespect of women on Gaetz's part.
This newest photo of Gaetz looming over and leering at Luckey hasn't helped that perception one bit--particularly in light of the federal investigation into Gaetz's having allegedly carried on a sexual relationship with an underage high school student whom he paid for sex.
The investigation stems from his association with sex trafficker Joel Greenberg, who pled guilty to a raft of charges including sex trafficking a child, as part of a plea deal which requires his cooperation in the investigation into Gaetz.
Greenberg is said to have already provided "thousands of photos and videos" related to the case, which are widely suspected to be damning evidence of Gaetz's guilt.
Taken all together, the newest photo had Twitter seriously creeped out.
@ProjectLincoln Florida Man, Matt Gaetz, gazes at his new bride thinking "if only she wasn't old enough to vote."— ALT US INS (OG Immigration) (@ALT US INS (OG Immigration)) 1631059469.0
@ProjectLincoln OMG that's a creepy photo!!— Catherine 🇨🇦 Antifa Goddess 🌎 (@Catherine 🇨🇦 Antifa Goddess 🌎) 1631058537.0
@ProjectLincoln She'll pay the price one day for not listening to her sister. And when she does, I hope her family… https://t.co/ufxNyloZxx— Phillip Davis (@Phillip Davis) 1631058625.0
@ProjectLincoln American Psycho 2 irl— Lauren Windsor (@Lauren Windsor) 1631114405.0
@ProjectLincoln Sometimes Matt Gaetz even shows up with his van…. But ONLY if the person saying #FloridaMan is unde… https://t.co/vXRqx8GiZz— Sgt Devildog (@Sgt Devildog) 1631067738.0
@ProjectLincoln @TheDemCoalition Thanks. Now I won’t be able to sleep tonight.— Renee Hoyos (@Renee Hoyos) 1631110663.0
@ProjectLincoln Huge "indie 90s movie about a serial killer" vibes.— Michael Marshall Smith (@Michael Marshall Smith) 1631058207.0
@ProjectLincoln Lock your doors and hide your daughters. That’s terrifying.— Jardani (@Jardani) 1631058636.0
@ProjectLincoln @ComradCovfefe45 This is the picture that accompanies the article about her being found rolled up in a rug.— Les Is More (@Les Is More) 1631061353.0
Regardless of whether the photo was innocent or nefarious, Gaetz's predatory attitude toward women is becoming increasingly clear as more allegations against him continue to appear. Recent media reports quotes sources who say Gaetz openly bragged about the "access to women" Greenberg provided him and that he participated in a sexual conquest contest with other members of the Florida legislature.
Gaetz denies all allegations against him.