Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) warned on Wednesday that Republicans were in a serious battle to stop "crazy people" from controlling the GOP — and the internet had plenty to say in response.
During a live interview with Newsmax, Fine commented on Democrats and said he was concerned about the Republican Party.
"When these people surfaced decades ago, they didn't take them seriously," Fine said. "They were so determined to gain power, they said we'll take anybody into our tent and now those people have taken over the tent. That's why we got to fight in my party, in the Republican Party, to not let crazy people take over. Because if we do, we're done. I think what we see happening to the Democratic Party, it may be good for Republicans but it is terrible for America."
Fine's comments drew criticism online among commentators.
"That battle was lost in the spring of 2016," S.V. Dáte, White House correspondent at HuffPost, wrote on X.
"Crazy people have taken over… no doubt, he’s one of them!" Alene Browdy, political commentator and vice president of sales and merchandising, wrote on X.
"How does anyone on the right say this with a straight face?" author Luke Epplin wrote on X.
"Too late for that, genius. Vote this bigot the f--- out," Rodger Williams, a progressive political commentator, wrote on X.
"In related news, I am launching a campaign to save the brontosaurus," politics writer Julian Sanchez wrote on Bluesky.
That battle was lost in the spring of 2016. https://t.co/LQ7Bf0n0GP
— S.V. Dáte (@svdate) July 1, 2026