Former Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks out after shocking texts to his mom about Trump and his earnings are exposed
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz has broken his silence after his text messages, which he exchanged with his mom, were leaked online.
The 43-year-old served as a representative for Florida from 2017 until his resignation late last year.
Gaetz has been an ardent Trump supporter and initially praised the President's airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday (June 21), writing on Twitter: "President Trump basically wants this to be like the Solimani strike — one and done. No regime change war. Trump the Peacemaker!"
However, he has expressed scepticism about the US taking a wider role in Iran, adding that 'historical trajectory isn't good'.
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While Trump is raging at Iran and Israel for allegedly breaking their ceasefire, Gaetz seemingly went closer to home for advice as a TikTok of the former congressman texting his mother, Victoria Gaetz, went viral online.
The social media user, known as @tidesofmarch, wrote on their video: "You're sitting behind Matt Gaetz and he's texting his mommy."
In the messages between him and his mom, she could be seen telling him off for not supporting Trump's actions regarding Iran.
"Don't be criticizing the president or his actions. He's trying to keep us safe. That's his job. MAGA will turn on you. You will lose your viewership. Your days in congress are over, practice of law? Let's not mess up the media gig," she said. "The president has been a very good friend to you. He hates betrayal. Be smart, not stubborn."
To which Gaetz replied: "I'm trying to guide him, not criticize him. But I've never been freer to share my views - and I'll continue to do so. I think about the people who cheered the Iraq war because they liked Bush. Those people have blood on their hands."
His mother then warned him not to 'guide him in the public square' before suggesting that he has 'intelligence and briefing' that he is not privy to - which the dad-to-be scoffed at, replying: "You'd be surprised."
Gaetz added: "Guiding DJT always includes a private and public component. I know how to do it."
He went on to explain to his mom how he felt 'deep shame' that he 'failed' Trump despite having 'constant' dialogue with him.
Victoria's warning continued, explaining to him how Trump responds to the media - and when Gaetz told her he'd be okay because he could simply move to his 'fully paid for condo' in El Salvador if anything serious happened with his career.
His mom then asked him 'how many times do you want to hit the wall?', to which he responded: "I'm a happily married man with a son on the way, two penthouse condos, a 1:1 real estate asset to debt ratio. And $500k in my bank account cash. I guess I'l keep hitting it till I die."
The conversation continued as Gaetz' mom claimed that she thinks this is Trump's 'Reagan moment' and hopes it 'works out' - something he disagreed with.
Reminding his mom: "Remember. These wars are always popular at first. But history turns."
Since then, Gaetz has responded to his leaked text messages over on his Twitter account, as he wrote: "Apparently someone sitting behind me on a flight recorded me without my knowledge. They found me texting my mother about news of the day, family finances, and working on my laptop.
"Please let this be a reminder to everyone to CALL YOUR MOTHER! (and maybe get a screen protector)."
In a statement to The Independent, he simply said: "My tweets speak for themselves."
I'd say he's taken it well.
UNILAD has reached out to the owner of the TikTok account 'tidesofmarch' for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, TikTok, Florida, US News
Joe Yates