Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida faced an embarrassing defeat in the House of Representatives this past Wednesday, February 3.
During a recent edition of Steve Bannon's podcast, Gaetz was confident he had enough votes to oust Republican Liz Cheney of Wyoming from House Republican leadership positions as punishment for voting to impeach former President Donald Trump.
Gaetz was apparently so sure Cheney would be voted out of her positions he claimed the Republican "establishment" might try to scuttle the vote altogether.
Gaetz said:
"My concern is that though today, we have the votes to remove Liz Cheney, somehow the Establishment's going to find a way to kick the question, avoid a vote..."
"My concern is that though today, we have the votes to remove Liz Cheney, somehow the Establishment's going to find… https://t.co/F3YYkdI6wO— Luke Ball (@Luke Ball) 1612386284.0
The vote ended up being brought to the House floor, however, where Gaetz's faction was soundly defeated by his fellow Republicans 145 to 61.
I dont know what is funnier Gaetz and crew just assuming they had the votes like a bunch of morons or 84+ House Mem… https://t.co/hJRIYmzFwt— Phiophill (@Phiophill) 1612405023.0
The incident was reportedly so embarrassing Gaetz refused to do interviews afterwards, a strange move for him.
The biggest loser after tonight’s secret vote is Matt Gaetz. Taking the fight to Liz Cheney in Wyoming was probably… https://t.co/ehTaqpGAHk— no (@no) 1612403753.0
No wonder Gaetz uncharacteristically passed up a media avail after the vote.— Guy Benson (@Guy Benson) 1612403322.0
No we voted. You were just wrong by like, a huuuuuge margin. https://t.co/2iwjlxpB3J— Adam Kinzinger (@Adam Kinzinger) 1612405460.0
People on Twitter wondered whether Gaetz was lying on Bannon's podcast or whether he was just very, very wrong.
He seems to lie as a matter of course. https://t.co/Ac77i0mSMS— Bill Kristol (@Bill Kristol) 1612405537.0
@LukeTBall Is Gaetz now going to say Liz vote to retain leadership was due to voting machine manipulation?— Norma #106 (@Norma #106) 1612405912.0
The underlying news of the night. This vote really shows that going against Trump isn't as dangerous as it's percei… https://t.co/ckZlsv7hwh— C. Danté (@C. Danté) 1612405771.0
Perhaps Gaetz and his ilk are louder than they are numerous.
The vote today provides evidence that Gaetz’s clique is not a silent majority but a (very) loud minority. #GOP— Sergio TN (@Sergio TN) 1612405600.0
@LukeTBall Well his statement aged terribly and rotted. Apparently they did vote and he did not have the votes to r… https://t.co/6DiR1HD7IR— Iris 🇵🇷🇺🇸 (@Iris 🇵🇷🇺🇸) 1612405975.0
@BillKristol If there was a secret vote on Matt Gaetz I wonder how that would turn out?— Always1968 (@Always1968) 1612405978.0
Twitter wasted no time in roasting the Florida Congressman for his foolishness.
Whipping an anonymous vote is so far above Matt Gaetz' pay grade— Dan Kane (@Dan Kane) 1612405658.0
@Acosta Gaetz tomorrow: “the vote was rigged.. I want a recount”— ELLA b (@ELLA b) 1612405677.0
@jbarro Gaetz thinking the vote would go his way https://t.co/ajdzWa5QrN— Omer 🟣 (@Omer 🟣) 1612405699.0
Perhaps Matt Gaetz will think twice about making big claims on the record.
@LukeTBall It’s almost like @mattgaetz doesn’t have his pulse on the GOP house caucus Maybe most don’t like him any more than we do— Harlow (@Harlow) 1612405817.0
@mattgaetz - "My concern is that though today, we have the votes to remove Liz Cheney, somehow the Establishment's… https://t.co/hM7zJpHOlB— GOP is no more (@GOP is no more) 1612405991.0
After this decisive defeat within his own caucus, Gaetz will have to find a new path forward politically.