TAMPA BAY TIMES – Rep. Matt Gaetz took center stage in front of a semicircle of souped-up trucks wrapped in Trump-themed vinyl.
As the Florida Republican congressman and ardent ally of former President Donald Trump began to speak outside Largo’s Conservative Grounds coffee shop, he clung hard to the cues of the former president, whose image was plastered behind him.
“Mask mandates are stupid,” Gaetz started. “Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election,” he added to cheers.
On a “Florida Man Freedom Tour” stop, the 38-year-old representative contradicted the coronavirus guidance of leading medical experts and echoed disproven claims of election fraud.
The crowd of approximately 200 people seemed to agree with his every word and relished the chance to be with like minds.
Sarasota’s Heather Huddleston had “Trump won” painted on her nails. St. Petersburg resident and pro-Trump rapper Forgiato Blow — given name Kurt Jantz — showed off a thigh tattoo featuring the former president with face tats.
Duane Schwingel from Chiefland rode around on a handleless Segway dressed as Uncle Sam, tufts of white facial hair included.
“People are just starving for the truth … any truth,” North Redington Beach’s Jan Scott said.
During his 32-minute speech, the congressman criticized “Big Pharma” companies for charging too much for medical drugs and said military leadership is discouraging service by forcing out conservative soldiers.
He then alleged President Joe Biden wants to disarm gun owners and condemned Biden’s border control policy, as well as the U.S. Capitol Police’s plans to establish a field office in Tampa.
Gaetz also called Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a “sniveling twit” and said without evidence that Democrats are using the coronavirus to create socialism in America.
Gaetz also took aim at coronavirus vaccines. Though the shots have been scientifically proven to dramatically limit the spread of the coronavirus and curtail the worst symptoms of COVID-19, Gaetz referred to them as “experimental vaccines” … READ MORE.
