Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida is once again facing social media backlash after being accused of bullying and body shaming a young activist.
On Saturday, a group of high school kids heard the 40-year-old Republican make fat-phobic and misogynistic slurs against abortion rights campaigners, and Twitter users informed him that he is being investigated for alleged sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl.
“Having an abortion is a top concern for women who have a low chance of becoming pregnant. If you look like a thumb, no one wants to conceive you “Gaetz said this in Tampa, Florida, at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit.
“They’re disgusting on the inside and out. If they don’t get their abortions, they’re going to protest and get up and march. They’re about 5 feet 2 inches and 350 pounds.”
Social media users reacted angrily to Gaetz’s remarks.
Olivia Julianna, a 19-year-old Texan working as a political strategist with Gen-Z for Change, responded to a tweet with, “I’m actually 5’11. 6’4 in heels.” When you see me in them, you’ll know you’re in the wrong place.
Later, Gaetz tweeted an item from Newsmax that described his tweets as “rants that are guaranteed to raise dander of his political opponents.”