Mark Short, Mike Pence’s former chief of staff, brushed off criticism by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of his old boss Monday night, after the Florida congressman mocked Pence at a youth Republican convention over the weekend.
Gaetz told a crowd of millennials and Generation Z conservatives Saturday night that Pence “will never be president” and said he was “a nice guy, not a leader,” in response to speculation about the former vice president considering a bid for the White House.
The controversial Republican also mocked pro-choice women by saying they were too unattractive and too overweight to bear children.
“I don’t know if Mike Pence will run for president in 2024, but I don’t think Matt Gaetz will have an impact on that,” Short said on CNN.
He took a swipe at Gaetz for his federal sex-trafficking investigation involving a 17-year-old girl. The congressman was accused of paying a teen to travel across state lines in order to have sex with her.
“I would be amazed if he still casts his ballot,” Short said, “he will most likely be in jail for child sex trafficking by 2024.”
And I’m really surprised that Florida law enforcement still allows him to speak at teen conferences like that. So, I’m not too worried about Matt Gaetz.
Gates had previously poked fun at his derogatory comments about women, telling those upset to “be offended”.
Marc Short shrugged off Matt Gaetz’s quip about Pence’s potential White House aspirations over the weekend, telling CNN on Monday, “I’d be surprised if he still votes, he’ll most likely be in prison for child sex trafficking by 2024.”
The Florida congressman joked Saturday about the demonstrations against the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, mocking those who wanted to protect abortion access across the country.
Why are women least likely to get pregnant most concerned about miscarriage? Gaetz told college students at the Student Action USA Summit at Turning Point USA in Tampa.
“Nobody wants to pick you up if you look like a thumb.”
On Monday, he was asked to explain his comments.
“I am very pro-life and I don’t apologize for that,” said the 40-year-old.
I am grateful that Rowe has been rescinded and that Dobbs is now the jurist of abortion. I find these people who come out at these pro-choice and pro-homicide rallies reprehensible – and they are ugly inside and out. I don’t apologize for that.
He said he didn’t think everyone who disagreed with him was an “ugly person,” but condemned those who protested outside the Supreme Court justices’ homes and called for a “night of rage” in Washington, D.C.
Gates was asked by Channel 3: “Is it safe to say, based on your comments, that you’re suggesting that these women in abortion rallies are ugly and overweight?”
Matt Gaetz said Monday he stands by his labeling of pro-choice activists as “ugly and overweight.”
On Saturday, the 40-year-old told Turning Point Summit (pictured): ‘Why are the women who have the lowest likelihood of getting pregnant the most worried about miscarriage? No one wants to pick you up if you look like a thumb
He replied, “Yes.”
He was asked: “What would you say to people who think these comments are offensive?” The congressman replied, “Resentful.”
Gaetz denied the sex trafficking allegations against him, and no charges were filed against him. The New York Times first reported a federal investigation into Gates in March 2021.
“These people are abominable inside and out,” Gates said at the summit. They’re like 5’2″, 350 pounds and they’re like, “Give me abortions or I’ll get up and pretend.” And I’m thinking, ‘March? “Looks like you’ve got weaker ankles from the legal reasoning behind Roe v. Wade.
Few of them need to get up and walk. They need to get up and walk an hour a day, swing those arms, get their blood pumping, and maybe mix in a salad.
This is not the first time he has mocked those fighting to support Roe v. Wade.
In May, when a draft Supreme Court decision was leaked, Gates made clear his disdain for their activism.
“How many of the women rallying against taking down Rowe are overly educated, likable millennials who sadly return from their protests to lonely dinners with their cats, no matches sullied?” Gates tweeted.
Members of the Women’s Democratic Caucus and leaders from organizations affiliated with CPD Action march July 19 to demand access to abortion
Activists and politicians demonstrate in Washington, D.C., on July 19
The decision to drop Roe v. Wade sparked angry protests nationwide
Crowds of anti-abortion and anti-abortion protesters are seen inside the Indiana State Senate on Monday
