Critics Say Matt Gaetz’s Nickname For The New House Speaker Is Alarmingly Accurate
Ucreview – On Wednesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) gave House Speaker Mike Johnson a new nickname – “MAGA Mike Johnson”. However, observers noted that the name unfortunately seems to fit well.
During an appearance on Steve Bannon’s podcast, former Donald Trump advisor, Matt Gaetz, confidently declared that “MAGA is ascendant.”
Gaetz pointed out the significance of the Republican Party’s shift from Kevin McCarthy to MAGA Mike Johnson, saying that it indicates the rise of the movement and the true source of power within the party. McCarthy was ousted as House speaker, and Gaetz believes that this change in leadership exemplifies the changing tides within the GOP.
On Wednesday, Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, was elected as the new speaker after a period of chaos that lasted for three weeks. This was triggered by Gaetz’s call for the removal of McCarthy, who was the previous speaker from California.
McCarthy’s decision to collaborate with Democrats in order to prevent a government shutdown and his failure to comply with the requests of a group of staunchly conservative lawmakers left Gaetz feeling indignant.
After cycling through three nominees, Republicans finally settled on Johnson. However, it’s important to note that Johnson holds extreme views when it comes to the rights of women and LGBTQ+ individuals. He also spearheaded a campaign to overturn the results of the 2020 election on behalf of former President Trump.
According to Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Gaetz’s name for Johnson was fitting.
On X (previously known as Twitter), he wrote, ““MAGA Mike Johnson.” House Republicans’ words, not ours.
“MAGA Mike Johnson.” House Republicans’ words, not ours. https://t.co/bKlFCokwSh
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) October 25, 2023
According to Tara Setmayer, a senior adviser at the Lincoln Project, the media needs to stop burying the lead when it comes to “MAGA Mike.” She believes that he is willing to carry out the extremist agenda and that this fact should be highlighted.
Hey—mainstream media…stop burying the lede about “MAGA” @RepMikeJohnson
“ MAGA Mike” is a leader of the Jan 6th objectors, a Trump ally and will do the bidding of the illiberal populist MAGA extremist agenda.
This is not someone worthy of the Speaker’s gavel. https://t.co/gHd5Zr9zg9
— Tara Setmayer 🌻 (@TaraSetmayer) October 25, 2023
According to Rachael Bade, a correspondent for Politico in Washington, the nickname is going to stick.
“MAGA Mike” — that nickname is gonna stick. https://t.co/rj5fsdrIBr
— Rachael Bade (@rachaelmbade) October 25, 2023
According to former Representative Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), who is also a critic of Trump, Gaetz’s statement was accurate. Walsh believed that Johnson’s election was a triumph for the Florida lawmaker.
Gaetz is correct. Mike Johnson, unlike McCarthy, is MAGA. It’s a MAGA party. Johnson as Speaker will be a victory for Gaetz. https://t.co/uYqUTDKBIA
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 25, 2023
Many other journalists and commentators focused their attention on Gaetz’s statement regarding the true locus of power within the Republican Party.
Former Republican National Committee spokesperson Tim Miller expressed his annoyance with how Matt Gaetz keeps proving himself right time and time again. “It’s kind of annoying,” Miller wrote.
Matt Gaetz keeps being right and it’s kind of annoying https://t.co/u0X8gQdrZu
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) October 25, 2023
Read More:
