'Lack of trigger safety': Matt Gaetz slammed for picture of himself with Trump gun
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) posted a picture to X on Wednesday, that appeared to depict himself holding a handgun bearing an image of former President Donald Trump's criminal mugshot in Fulton County, Georgia.
"Get ready," he wrote above the image.
Trump's mugshot in the election racketeering case brought by Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis has rapidly become adopted by Trump as a symbol of his political grievances, appearing even on campaign merchandise.
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While many Trump supporters on social media cheered on the image, many other commenters were horrified — both because it appeared to suggest a threat of political violence, and because Gaetz wasn't even holding the firearm safely.
"The right is ready for political violence and it should probably be getting more attention," wrote Paul Iskajyan, a communications official for Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA). "Also, take your finger off the trigger."
"Strange fetish," wrote the account @BGhimself.
Even some self-identified conservative and Trump-supporting accounts seemed uncomfortable with how Gaetz was handling the weapon.
"I am triggered…by your lack of trigger safety," wrote the account @az_cactusflower. "Rule number one of firearm safety: treat every weapon like it’s loaded. Never put your finger on the trigger until you intend to fire it [facepalm emoji] these are basics come on now."
"Do Not Be Like This Guy! Fingers stay Off the Trigger," wrote the account @Mr_MonkeyMatt, who identifies as a Trump supporter.
Gaetz, a far-right lawmaker aligned with Trump, is infamous for leading the charge to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from office last year, which triggered widespread chaos among Republicans for weeks. He did so in revenge for McCarthy refusing to terminate an Ethics Committee investigation into him surrounding claims that he had sexual contact with a minor, used illicit drugs, improperly took gifts, and engaged in obstruction, according to various news reports.
The FBI separately investigated the claims of underage sex trafficking, and secured a guilty plea from one of Gaetz's associates, but concluded that investigation without charging Gaetz himself.