Kevin McCarthy returns fire after Matt Gaetz taunts during RNC: ‘I’m not sure if he was on something’
Kevin McCarthy said people are concerned for Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, suggesting he “might be on something” after Gaetz taunted the former House Speaker from California during a live interview from the Republican National Convention.
Gaetz screamed at McCarthy that he would get booed off the stage.
McCarty was asked by CNN his response to the comments.
“He looks very unhinged,” McCarthy said. “A lot of people have concerns about him, and I’m not sure if he was on something. But I do hope that he gets the help that he needs. More importantly, I hope the young women get the justice they deserve when it comes to him.”
This incident is the latest chapter in the ongoing feud, which came to a head last October when Gaetz introduced and passed a measure to remove McCarthy from his speakership.
McCarthy has claimed Gaetz paid for sex with an underage girl, a claim Gaetz denies. The Florida congressman was investigated by the Justice Department over the matter, which declined to bring charges.
“His name’s Matt Gaetz,” McCarthy said, per The Independent. “He didn’t do it because he dislikes me, but he did it because he has an Ethics complaint because he paid to sleep with an underage girl. And he wanted me to stop the Ethics (committee).”
McCarthy was asked if he would “stop Gaetz” and end his political career.
“I don’t think he’ll ever be able to run for governor like he wants to,” McCarthy told The Independent.
The Associated Press contributed this report.