Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida announced he is considering a bid for the presidency in 2024.
Of course as head MAGA minion, Gaetz will defer to Donald Trump if the former President is eligible or able to run in 2024.
Twitter had plenty to say about Gaetz's political aspirations.
Alexa, can you run for President from federal prison?https://news.yahoo.com/rep-matt-gaetz-eyes-presidential-run-in-2024-173710244.html\u00a0\u2026— The Lincoln Project (@The Lincoln Project) 1622171400
Despite being under a federal investigation for allegations of having sex with a 17-year-old girl and engaging in sex trafficking of minors, the far-right Florida Representative looked towards the future through rose-colored glasses by announcing he wants to run for President.
On Wednesday, the far-right Congressman told the New York Post via text:
"I support Donald Trump for president. I've directly encouraged him to run and he gives me every indication he will. If Trump doesn't run, I'm sure I could defeat whatever remains of Joe Biden by 2024."
The closest @mattgaetz is going to get to the Oval Office is serving as president of his future cell block's Batman villain cosplay club.— Mrs. K. Cleary (@Mrs. K. Cleary) 1622171456
He also told Steve Bannon—Trump's former chief strategist and co-founder of the far-right platform, Breitbart News—about tossing his hat in the ring.
"I'm for Donald Trump in 2024," Gaetz told Bannon.
"This is Donald Trump's party and I'm a Donald Trump Republican."
"But if for whatever reason President Trump decided to enjoy the swamps of Florida a little more than the swamps of Washington, D.C., I'm certain I could whoop Joe Biden up one side of the country and down the other."
"Because the people in America want passion and excitement and inspiration in the executive."
Matt Gaetz said tonight that he will run for president in 2024 if Trump doesn\u2019t run. \u201cI am certain I can whoop Joe Biden up one side of the country and down the other.\u201dpic.twitter.com/f0vlXG5DSE— Ron Filipkowski (@Ron Filipkowski) 1622152045
Twitter did not hold back when sharing their thoughts on Gaetz's announcement.
Well, it seems Matt Gaetz might be running for President in 2024! Great news for political satirists and literally nobody else. Luckily I\u2019m a satiristhttps://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/voices/matt-gaetz-2024-president-trump-marjorie-taylor-greene-b1855381.html%3famp\u00a0\u2026— Holly Baxter (@Holly Baxter) 1622146490
Gaetz did a wonderful job of kissing trump's arse BEFORE and AFTER he made this statement. It was couched in so much trump love you would think that trump was a minor.— Alison Rhodes is not a bot. \ud83c\udf0a (@Alison Rhodes is not a bot. \ud83c\udf0a) 1622160118
BREAKING: Matt Gaetz said that if Trump doesn't run for president in 2024, he will. \n\nSo if the guy accused of having sex with minors doesn't run, the guy accused of having sex with minors will.— Steve Hofstetter (@Steve Hofstetter) 1622146825
This dude is so embarrassing! And Bannon still makes money consulting for some of the far right parties in Europe, including our much hated Vox. Why don't they investigate that?— MoMAD (@MoMAD) 1622161200
I\u2019m not sure if it will be @MattGaetz, @GovRonDeSantis or President Donald J. Trump, but I am damn sure that in 2024 a Florida Man will be in the White House!— Lavern Spicer (@Lavern Spicer) 1622130760
\u201c@mattgaetz is the perfect candidate for the future! Seriously, can you name another political figure who\u2019s actively courted Americans who won\u2019t even be able to vote for another 4 to 6 years??— Jason Barsky (@Jason Barsky) 1622149670
The people want "passion, excitement and inspiration." @mattgaetz? Is this your interpretation of your "research" from a "focus group" of underage females? As an over-18 female voter, I want results, not your Spring Break attitude toward life.— Kat (@Kat) 1622153789
Gaetz denies the allegations against him regarding having sex with a minor and of his involvement in sex trafficking, but a close associate, Joel Greenberg, recently plead guilty to six charges including sex trafficking of a minor as an agreement to cooperate with the investigation.
Matt look over here I might be a presidential candidate in 2024. Don't look over there because my buddy Greenberg pleaded guilty to sex trafficking, wire fraud, identity theft, stalking and conspiracy.— adrienne (@adrienne) 1622153484
According to a court document, Greenberg admitted to trafficking a minor to "other men" who engaged in sex acts with the minor in Greenberg's presence.
While the papers did not identify the other men, some reports suggested Gaetz was one of the men.
All Trump won\u2019t run \u2018cause he\u2019ll be in jail. And Matt - well let\u2019s just say Trump may have company. Does the prison population elect a student body President?— James Roseberry (@James Roseberry) 1622153233
He can be president of the cell block if Trump doesn't run.— Leslieoo7 \u2620\ufe0f \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2 (@Leslieoo7 \u2620\ufe0f \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2) 1622152282
Well, she was just seventeen\nYou know what Matt means\nAnd the way she looked\nWas way beyond compare\nSo how could he Venmo for another\nOoh, when he saw her standing there?— Frolicking Gadfly (@Frolicking Gadfly) 1622152298
How's he gonna do that from prison?— \u270a\ud83c\udfff\u270a\ud83c\udffe\u270a\ud83c\udffd\u270a\ud83c\udffc\u270a\ud83c\udffbDoe Eyes\u270a\ud83c\udffb\u270a\ud83c\udffc\u270a\ud83c\udffd\u270a\ud83c\udffe\u270a\ud83c\udfff (@\u270a\ud83c\udfff\u270a\ud83c\udffe\u270a\ud83c\udffd\u270a\ud83c\udffc\u270a\ud83c\udffbDoe Eyes\u270a\ud83c\udffb\u270a\ud83c\udffc\u270a\ud83c\udffd\u270a\ud83c\udffe\u270a\ud83c\udfff) 1622152767
Maybe he means president of cell block C. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be very popular there!\n\nPresident! Lolpic.twitter.com/Ux4WKtg33N— Mike Nolan \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u2618\ufe0f (@Mike Nolan \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u2618\ufe0f) 1622156671
Greenberg's lawyer, Fritz Scheller, suggested his client would implicate Gaetz.
Scheller told reporters after Greenberg pleaded guilty to the charges:
"I am sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today."
Gaetz has been co-hosting the KKK-inspired "America First" movement tour.
pic.twitter.com/IzvV713PSX— Kevin Davis (@Kevin Davis) 1622123997
Gaetz's "America First" partner is far-right QAnon adherent and Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. They've held three rallies to "promote and preserve Trump's agenda across the country."
During one of their "America First" rallies, Gaetz yelled over his excited audience, "Trump is coming back in 2024 to secure the presidency for our movement, and our people, and our great nation."
He added:
"And if he doesn't, who knows?"
Gaetz then followed the interview up by saying in his rally speech that he thinks Trump will come back and be the GOP nominee for president in 2024, \u201cbut if he doesn\u2019t, who knows?\u201dpic.twitter.com/ce9BPpPwjl— Ron Filipkowski (@Ron Filipkowski) 1622158079
The terrifying thing is that not enough people are taking the threat that Gaetz, Greene et al pose to US democracy seriously. The GOP voting laws could see them retake Congress in 2022, paving the way for Trump or someone more dangerous assuming the Oval Office in \u201824.— Damian Keenan (@Damian Keenan) 1622195759
Gaetz said he formally has not launched an exploratory committee, but he has several rallies scheduled including one as the keynote speaker at the Nashua GOP "steak out" in New Hampshire in August.