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Matt Gaetz claims he's a 'firebrand' fighting for the 'soul of our country' -- and it doesn't go well
April 11, 2021
A feisty Rep., Matt Gaetz (R-FL) continues to defend himself on his Twitter account against accusations that he has paid for sex with underaged girls by making bold pronouncements that he is standing up for Ameria -- and he keeps getting smacked down.
In his latest attempt to beef up his defense that the Republican Party needs him, the embattled Florida lawmaker labeled himself a "firebrand" fighting for the "soul of our country" which led commenters to point out that he is actually battling to stay out of prison.
According to Gaetz, "Firebrands don't retreat, especially when the battle for the soul of our country calls," which led one critic to point out, "Labeling yourself a 'firebrand' is one of the most pathetic things imaginable"
There was much more like that as you can see below:
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b5680bfc85f4dbd04b8586f80dbb8835" id="0b364"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381307169849610240"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Now that you put it that way, why, child rape and trafficking sounds damn near heroic.</div> — Brian Nash (@Brian Nash)<a href="https://twitter.com/BrianWNash/statuses/1381307169849610240">1618164267.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="67f2409801558d578543b5286f26c03b" id="a2013"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381297335213432840"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Hasn't your lawyer said that to remain quiet is in your best interest right now? Or are you setting u… https://t.co/YWScZ0zWuP</div> — Pshenderson (@Pshenderson)<a href="https://twitter.com/pamelasuehender/statuses/1381297335213432840">1618161922.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c3a8fde57daeb7513c14390e09a01282" id="7bc97"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381298222568775682"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz 🤣😂🤣You aren't flattering yourself with the label "firebrand," now are you? Entitled, irresponsible,… https://t.co/fnPmqkkldB</div> — bmichael (@bmichael)<a href="https://twitter.com/brolivor/statuses/1381298222568775682">1618162134.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="917cab3ffa474dca49eb1abc37435fa7" id="f2f8d"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381316065318350848"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz They just nail high school girls https://t.co/xR8DKcnLjr</div> — BeauWatson (@BeauWatson)<a href="https://twitter.com/BeauWatson13/statuses/1381316065318350848">1618166388.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0a97f5c85286557cd9f18cae0205db4a" id="5078c"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381312442781814785"><div style="margin:1em 0">@TempleOfJames @RepMattGaetz Firebrand that sweetheart!</div> — Feisty Wench w/ fire in her eyes (@Feisty Wench w/ fire in her eyes)<a href="https://twitter.com/H2Owench/statuses/1381312442781814785">1618165524.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d39626f0f8b4934f4ba65a7423536659" id="dca84"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381297075812503554"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz You are not a firebrand you are a flaming turd on a stick</div> — Expel the sedition caucus (@Expel the sedition caucus)<a href="https://twitter.com/JesseLaGreca/statuses/1381297075812503554">1618161860.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8606c3ae26cd2aaa612826c957adc225" id="a6258"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381296431546441730"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz 17 year olds are too young to be drafted for battle.</div> — WH Aide 🌊 (@WH Aide 🌊)<a href="https://twitter.com/trumpaide/statuses/1381296431546441730">1618161707.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="89d544c255be7669b4400957a269b93d" id="ac539"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381304360097902595"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Child sex traffickers do get arrested though. So, enjoy that.</div> — Kevin S. Batchelor (@Kevin S. Batchelor)<a href="https://twitter.com/ksbphoto/statuses/1381304360097902595">1618163597.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cd7a75f096db8342406e4164ddee96f4" id="fc659"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381298748341489666"><div style="margin:1em 0">@SureQaren @RepMattGaetz itchy, not richie</div> — Romi C (@Romi C)<a href="https://twitter.com/RomiC61536129/statuses/1381298748341489666">1618162259.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c7d14d1898c4a7322e30aca6f48d0ba6" id="4c232"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381296448550080520"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Bit dramatic?</div> — Raiders Fan (@Raiders Fan)<a href="https://twitter.com/rcarden99/statuses/1381296448550080520">1618161711.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="926ec4bcce7742059061ffa3b65bfe49" id="af1e9"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381296501117292545"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Is that code for some kind of weird sex thing with teenagers?</div> — Jarrett Bellini (@Jarrett Bellini)<a href="https://twitter.com/JarrettBellini/statuses/1381296501117292545">1618161723.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="29c53935f9b246c59b3ad0d4d222314f" id="5ba74"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381297052873850881"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Yeah babe, I'm like such a firebrand, I'm a hero, I'm fighting for the soul of our cou-- what? You're… https://t.co/DCPwP0GH0V</div> — Jael's Tent Peg Ministry, MA ðŸ‡ðŸ‡²ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡² (@Jael's Tent Peg Ministry, MA ðŸ‡ðŸ‡²ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡²)<a href="https://twitter.com/parenthetical19/statuses/1381297052873850881">1618161855.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7f4ca5c824989ecf48d6263781eec1e3" id="19e0e"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381297680031350786"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Labeling yourself a "firebrand" is one of the most pathetic things imaginable</div> — Thor Benson (@Thor Benson)<a href="https://twitter.com/thor_benson/statuses/1381297680031350786">1618162004.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9bad82a598edb6db8f52afd3bfd37680" id="b002d"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381317507470913538"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz It’s called statutory rape, Matt.</div> — jamie grayson (@jamie grayson)<a href="https://twitter.com/TheBabyGuyNYC/statuses/1381317507470913538">1618166732.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="24fb9a681562dcb7a2706b83a6129b19" id="95453"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381315351003209735"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Wait, so the "soul of our country" is "the right for powerful men to groom and traffic underage girls"? Gosh, who knew?</div> — Margaret P Houston (@Margaret P Houston)<a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonMargaret/statuses/1381315351003209735">1618166217.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<p><br/></p>
<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="31db8e4fd937a7602ca85289c8063bd9" id="5687c"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381309490457276422"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Firebrand? YOU? You're on fire alright but not for the reasons, reason, you think. https://t.co/pz0Tu0ZNap</div> — Sam Lopez (@Sam Lopez)<a href="https://twitter.com/matsc121/statuses/1381309490457276422">1618164820.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="32b37aa89c19bf5de033f342dd758a4d" id="8aaa1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381301222011994116"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz Matt Gaetz is the Don Junior of Jeffrey Epsteins</div> — Twice-Impeached, One-Term Trumpy (parody) (@Twice-Impeached, One-Term Trumpy (parody))<a href="https://twitter.com/outofcontroljb/statuses/1381301222011994116">1618162849.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="69e187f19b9c5f60d73f9a4bce0b6e29" id="98f55"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381297393186922498"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz What a creepy tweet....</div> — CB is Big Baby Jesus. (@CB is Big Baby Jesus.)<a href="https://twitter.com/ConservBlue2020/statuses/1381297393186922498">1618161936.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d4077532c7d023f263d9d9b9da74b815" id="a4645"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381299709222944768"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz 2021, the year "firebrands" see prison. https://t.co/xuedacYJpC</div> — OKKO 2.0 (@OKKO 2.0)<a href="https://twitter.com/OmaraKelly/statuses/1381299709222944768">1618162488.0</a></blockquote></div>
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<div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ed1855f47ad8a7cb57363437586deac7" id="1b804"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1381301546290442240"><div style="margin:1em 0">@RepMattGaetz I can't wait for your trial.</div> — Biden Thoughts With Jack Handey (@Biden Thoughts With Jack Handey)<a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpFrederick/statuses/1381301546290442240">1618162926.0</a></blockquote></div><p><br/></p>
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'It was horrible': Top GOP donors were disgusted with Trump's RNC speech while others ducked out
April 11, 2021
According to a report from Politico, multiple donors attending a closed-door speech given by Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort Saturday night were dismayed and disgusted with the tenor of the speech as the president went off script and ranted about House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as a "dumb son-of-a-bitch."
Reports on Saturday night state that Trump, "at times veered wildly off-script from his prewritten speech, the text of which was reviewed by The Daily Beast earlier in the day. While at the private event, he inveighed against Republican, Democratic, and celebrity enemies, and again denounced the 2020 presidential election outcome as 'bullshit,' according to those in the audience."
<p>Sunday afternoon, Politico Playbook reported the speech did not go over well with all who attended with the hope of seeing a plan from Republicans on how to take back the House and Senate in 2022.</p><p>According to the report, "A slew of well-heeled Republican National Committee donors descended on Palm Beach this weekend, excited to be schmoozed, eager for access to Donald Trump and other potential 2024 nominees, but mostly interested in hearing how far their dollars would go toward winning back the Congress and White House," before adding, "Trump's speech didn't do any of that.<strong> "</strong></p><p>According to one donor who attended, "It was horrible, it was long and negative<strong>," </strong>before adding,<strong> "</strong>It was dour. He didn't talk about the positive things that his administration has done."</p><p>Politico also reported that a few donors were spotted out dining elsewhere while the president droned on.</p><p>"Many major donors have been fed up with Trump's antics since Jan. 6. While Trump was speaking, we spotted at least two — both of whom received prominent appointments during his administration — out dining with friends at a local restaurant in Palm Beach rather than sitting through the former president's dinner at Mar-a-Lago," Playbook reports.</p><p>You can <a href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/04/11/gop-donors-privately-pan-trumps-horrible-rnc-speech-492435" target="_blank">read more here</a>.</p>
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White Americans fear they'd one day become victims of the monstrous capitalism they built
April 11, 2021
From the moment Donald Trump rose to political prominence, the pundit class stubbornly clung to "economic anxiety" as the explanation for why white voters can't quit him. No matter how often the idea was deconstructed, no matter how much evidence contradicted it, and no matter how ridiculous it became, the notion that poverty—not race—was the central force in lifting a bankrupt billionaire to the highest office in the land had a firm hold in the national political imagination.
As recently as January's insurrection, multiple commentators, columnists and social scientists expressed surprise at the wealth, resources and status afforded by these deeply "anxious" insurgents attacking the US Capitol, or felt compelled to further debunk the zombie lie that Trump voters have embraced bigotry in response to economic hardship. There's only one problem with this: economic anxiety is real.
<h3>Rather than extend healthcare, housing and food security to a Black and brown underclass, white Americans commodified basic needs into a catastrophe that has claimed almost 600,000 lives.</h3><p>The mistake of "economic anxiety" as a concept was to substitute it for bigotry instead of understanding it is reflected and informed <em>by</em> bigotry. In a society built on white supremacy, everything relies on it, and our economy is no exception. We designed a country where white people progressed and profited explicitly at the cost of the lives and the land of Black and Indigenous people. Colonization, slavery, homesteading, redlining, mass European immigration: all wealth-building efforts adding to white coffers while commodifying Native resources and obliterating Black livelihoods. </p><p>There is no era of the nation's history in which white people built fortunes without racial subjugation, and white Americans are so aware of this, many can't imagine an economy without it. Simply, white voters didn't embrace bigotry because they faced economic precarity; they faced economic precarity because they embraced bigotry.</p><p>The Shining City on a Hill, the new world with streets are paved with gold, the land of opportunity and merit and promise—these are all the mythologies of white intergenerational wealth that elide the truth of a bounty built atop blood and bones. </p><p>In this national story, white people created and defined the wealth of the country, bolstered "widespread" prosperity and set a new standard of living for the world. The biggest economy and its fruits are exclusively "American," and "American" is defined by white wealth. To say anything else is an indictment of capitalism, especially the American version of it. Anything else reveals a lie of theft, abuse and exploitation. Anything else suggests that white people did not earn their primacy, but stole it.</p><p>And then Barack Obama got elected president in the middle of a profound financial panic. Change meant now a Black man would make decisions about how to rebuild the economy, where to allocate resources and what the costs of white supremacist capitalism had been—to best avoid them going forward. For the white elite, Obama's presidency was an indictment of their system. For the white middle class, it was an interrogation of their worthiness. For the white poor, it was an existential crisis. </p><p>Even though Obama's actual policy preferences were remarkably milquetoast and technocratic, his presence as the first Black man to be elected president was the <em>embodiment of radicalism</em>. This is why the white wealthy joked about "the affirmative action president" even as they systematically attacked through the judiciary the opportunities affirmative action affords. This is why the white middle class said they wanted "their country back" and disliked his public solidarity with Black people being attacked as an underclass, regardless of their actual personal wealth. This is why white low-income workers accepted "socialism" as a slur for his presence in the White House as the chief executive. If Obama represented the future of America—its hopes, possibilities, wealth—then whiteness now represented its shameful and broken past. </p><p>No matter what the manifestation the bigotry took, all of it was fueled by fear. Fear that wealthy white scions may not be as secure as their parents; fear that rising Black and Indigenous power inevitably results in a shrinking white middle class; fear that whiteness was no longer enough to maintain dignity in poverty and depression. </p><p>So it was no surprise that when someone spoke to the fear of a "great replacement"<a href="https://www.alternet.org/r/entryeditor/2652490774#footnote-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1</a> politically, culturally and economically, that white voters rushed to him for validation, and accepted whatever the costs might be (mostly paid by Black and brown people) to get the fleeting feeling of security in believing that nothing would really change. </p><p>White Americans have feared they would one day become victims of the monstrous capitalism they built, even as they enjoyed the security and safety of generations of exploitation, and it has given us untold suffering as a country. Rather than extend healthcare, housing and food security to a Black and brown underclass, they commodified basic needs into a catastrophe that's claimed almost 600,000 lives. </p><p>Quick to reopen an economy that has relied on the labor of disproportionately Black and brown workers, white Americans have been even quicker to deny access to citizenship or the rights therein to the very same people. They scramble, desperately, to hold on to a system and society already escaping their grasp, and yet this only drives them deeper into denial and violence. The loss of white primacy is a kind of vigilant anxiety, a painful acceptance of truth that many cannot bear to face, and they have found a political movement ready and willing to keep them oblivious. </p><p>Because it isn't only the economy at risk.</p>
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