Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Matt Gaetz mocked for saying Roe protesters are ‘over-educated’ millennials with ‘no Bumble matches’

‘He says this like it’s a bad thing’

Gino Spocchia
Wednesday 04 May 2022 13:36 EDT
Comments
Related video: Protesters chant outside US Supreme Court after leak shows court will overturn Roe vs Wade

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Congressman Matt Gaetz was instantly condemned and mocked online after he suggested women protesting against Roe v Wade’s possible revocation by the Supreme Court were “under-loved millennials” with “no Bumble matches”.

The Republican, who remains under investigation for possible sex trafficking of minors – something he denies and says is politically motivated – tweeted on Wednesday morning after protests sprang up throughout the US in opposition to Roe being overturned.

“How many of the women rallying against overturning Roe are over-educated, under-loved millennials who sadly return from protests to a lonely microwave dinner with their cats, and no bumble matches?,” asked Mr Gaetz.

Many afterwards accused the congressman of being a “misogynist”, while others ridiculed Mr Gaetz for turning away younger voters.

“Just when you thought he couldn’t be more of a pathetic despicable loser… he says this,” one Twitter user argued. “He is a menace to a functioning democratic society. And what a fool. He just got every millennial to vote against Republicans. Buh bye.. loser.”

“The very concept that a woman can be ‘over-educated’ tells me all I need to know about this,” another wrote. “And the idea that the only women who want rights must be unattractive and frigid is the oldest misogynistic trope in the book. This is a sitting member of Congress.”

“He says this like it’s a bad thing,” a third person added. “I’ll take my cats over a man like this ANY day. Because they aren’t trying to take away my rights.”

Many others pointed to the ongoing Justice Department investigation involving Mr Gaetz, who denies claims he paid for a 17-year-old to travel with him for sex through Venmo payments allegedly processed by accused sex trafficker Joel Greenberg, as The DailyBeast reported last year.

Although no charges have been made against Mr Gaetz, one person wrote:“Wow. That’s not at all sexist or misogynistic. Hard to believe you’d have to pay for sex.”

Congressman Matt Gaetz was mocked for his recent comments on Roe protesters
Congressman Matt Gaetz was mocked for his recent comments on Roe protesters (EPA)

A leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court on Monday suggested the conservative-majority court could soon overturn Roe, the landmark 1973 ruling on abortion access in the US, sparking protests across the US in support of abortion.

Police in Los Angles said one officer was injured on Tuesday after 250 people marched peacefully in support of Roe. Another 1,000 people gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington DC and smaller gatherings were held across the US, with no reports of incidents.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in