Kevin McCarthy appears to be intensifying his revenge efforts, particularly evident in his recent comments about Representative Matt Gaetz. McCarthy, who recently resigned from Congress, held an impromptu press conference on Capitol Hill where he accused Gaetz of exaggerating his proximity to Donald Trump and making false statements about “who he sleeps with,” seemingly alluding to the sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz, including soliciting sex from a minor. Despite the Justice Department’s decision not to press charges, an ongoing House Ethics Committee probe continues, and Gaetz’s associate Joel Greenberg has pleaded guilty to charges including sex trafficking and fraud.
Gaetz, a vocal Trump ally, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and even ridiculed McCarthy for referencing the allegations against him. During the press conference, McCarthy initially targeted Representative Nancy Mace, criticizing her management skills and expressing hope for her to “straighten out her life.”
When questioned about Gaetz and his relationship with Trump, McCarthy disputed the notion of a close bond between the two. He told reporters, “I don’t know how close you probably think the president is to Gaetz, but you should probably figure that out,” in footage aired by CNN. Gaetz, known for his close association with Trump and frequent attendance at events like those held at Mar-a-Lago, was subjected to McCarthy’s personal jabs. McCarthy insinuated that Gaetz may fabricate details, including falsehoods about his personal relationships, stating, “I’m sure. Gaetz probably makes a lot up. He probably lies about who he sleeps with too.”
McCarthy, armed with a substantial war chest as one of the GOP’s leading fundraisers, has declared his intent to target and remove GOP House members who voted for his removal as speaker, a list that includes Gaetz. The Florida representative responded to McCarthy’s comments on the X platform, formerly Twitter, with a question: “What stage of grief is this?” As the political drama unfolds, McCarthy’s pursuit of retribution and the fallout between him and Gaetz continue to capture attention, shaping the dynamics within the Republican party.
What stage of grief is this?
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 13, 2024
