Matt Gaetz triggered a massive MAGA meltdown on Thursday when he announced he'd withdrawn his name from President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet contest.
Gaetz's decision not to let accusations he had sex with a minor serve as a "distraction" from Trump's ascent into the White House spurred outrage and disgust — at Democrats.
"Super disappointed Matt Gaetz was forced by the elites to drop out," wrote influencer Matt Wallace. "They probably threatened his life because most of them have done crimes so graphic I can’t even describe them here. They can’t have someone like Matt investigating them."
"The Establishment isn't afraid of Trump's nominations being unqualified," added Don Wick in the form of a meme. "The Establishment is afraid of being dismantled by them."
Some of Trump's critics have indeed raised concerns he would dismantle checks and balances to seize power akin to the authoritarian leaders he praises.
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"We didn't win in a landslide to allow a handful of elitist Senators get in our way," urged commentator Joseph Pino. "Full steam ahead."
Gaetz decided to step down as outrage mounted that Trump had chosen as the leader of the Justice Department a man facing allegations he sexually assaulted a minor, paid for sex, used illicit drugs, accepted bribes and misused campaign funds.
While former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) proclaimed, "Bond villain #1 is out," MAGA conservatives struck a much less gleeful tone.
Valentina Gomez — the failed MAGA candidate who made headlines telling Black people to leave America on Juneteenth, burning books with a flame thrower and urging people not to be "weak and gay," urged Gaetz to try for the Florida Senate seat left vacant by Marco Rubio.
"Come hell or high water, I have your back Matt," she wrote. "Florida needs a man built for the battle in the Senate. That person is you."
Friends and allies expressed a sense of loss.
"As a friend It kills me to hear this," said Rumble pundit Kevin Smith. "As an American, we as a nation will miss out on your leadership at the DOJ."
"What the swamp has done to you is truly sickening," wrote George, a conservative influencer watchdog group Snopes linked to the spread of election misinformation.
"Gaetz would’ve been an amazing AG," wrote conservative influencer Paul A. Szypula. "He’s 100% MAGA."
"WTF?!" wrote Kylie Jane Kremer, Executive Director for the Woman for America First. "We want YOU, Matt Gaetz to lead the DOJ! We gave DJT a mandate and he chose you!"
