Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida drew negative attention to himself last week when he introduced the world to his “son” Nestor and issued a bizarre statement saying he’s “not gay.” Then he made matters worse over the weekend when he issued a second statement wishing everyone, including himself, a Happy Father’s Day.
To make a long story short, it all started last Wednesday when Gaetz, who is white, was accused of being racist after he shouted over Democratic Rep. Cedric Richmond, who is Black, during a House Judiciary Committee meeting on racism in America.
In an effort to prove he’s not racist, the 38-year-old lawmaker went on Fox News to introduce the world to his beloved 19-year-old “son” Nestor, who is Cuban. There was just one teensy tiny problem: Gaetz isn’t Nestor’s dad. At least not legally.
Turns out Nestor, who Gaetz used to refer to as his “helper” or a “local student” before suddenly switching to calling him his “son,” is the little brother of his ex-girlfriend who he’s maintained a friendly relationship with since they broke up.
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Gaetz quickly became the laughing stock of the internet, not just for claiming to have a son who he’s never mentioned before in his life, but because he also issued a bizarre statement saying he’s “not gay” when someone wished him a happy pride.
The end. Right? ...Wrong!
Because he doesn’t know when to quit talking, on Sunday, Gaetz tweeted a Father’s Day message to “all the step parents out there,” mothers and fathers alike, thanking them for reaching out to him since announcing he’s the father of an almost-2o-year-old.
“A very special Happy Fathers Day to all the step parents out there,” he wrote. “So many of you have reached out to me over the last few days. Thank you. #ModernFamilies.”
A very special Happy Fathers Day to all the step parents out there. So many of you have reached out to me over the last few days. Thank you. #ModernFamilies
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) June 21, 2020
The new dad’s tweet was met with an avalanche of responses…
Happy Father’s Day to all those guys who love more than anything their ex girlfriends little brother.
— Geez Louise (@Geez_LouiseGuys) June 21, 2020
Happy Fathers Day to all the step-dads! @mattgaetz is not one.
— JD (@HambonePA) June 21, 2020
Dude, you dated his sister. That doesn’t make you his stepfather, it makes you his creepy brother in law.
— StephBam (@sactolawchick) June 21, 2020
— Private Bonespurz (@PBonespurz) June 21, 2020
Most Step parents Do Not Hide their Children
— 🐣Dev🐣 Twit Control Freaks can F. Off (@IslandgirlDev) June 21, 2020
Dude…Just give it up already. 🤡
— Linus74 (@PenCapChew27) June 21, 2020
As a family lawyer, I can tell you that you are not a step-father. I’m concerned about what you are, actually.
— Nancy L. Morin (@morinfamilylaw) June 21, 2020
This is more embarrassing than the people getting Father’s Day wishes on behalf of their dog.
— Outer Dialogue (@OuterDialogue) June 21, 2020
The rest of Twitter also had a lot to say on the matter…
I hear Matt Gaetz got this for Father’s Day.
Only cost him $14.99 on EBay. pic.twitter.com/97Rg52GyaQ
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@HoarseWisperer) June 21, 2020
Happy Fathers Day to everyone but Matt Gaetz.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) June 21, 2020
I wonder what Nestor is doing for Matt Gaetz for Father’s Day.
— Jean Passanante (@PFossil) June 21, 2020
“Maybe the empty seats are reserved for all the children of Matt Gaetz.”
-my husband#TrumpMeltdown— Katt Funny (@KattFunny) June 21, 2020
I’m having trouble picking out the right gift for Matt Gaetz for Fathers Day
— Paul Crickard (@pcrickard) June 19, 2020
Happy Father’s day to all the dads out there but especially to Matt Gaetz, for some reason.
— Erik the Rural Juror (@EDoggTheRed) June 21, 2020
Happy Father’s Day to Matt Gaetz and his black son – who is not black – and isn’t really his son, because he’s never adopted him!
— Nico COVID Haircut XW (@Nicoxw1) June 21, 2020
Happy Father’s Day to Nestor and @mattgaetz. This is their first Father’s Day since coming out.
— Poetic Justice (@PoeticJ59274248) June 21, 2020
Gaetz, who has a history of drunk driving, holds a 0% rating with the Human Rights Campaign and a 100% rating with the antigay hate group Family Research Council. Last year, he opposed the LGBT Equality Act.
Related: Rep. Matt Gaetz ripped on live TV for mocking coronavirus with gas mask
Cam
If this kid is attending a school in Gaetz neighborhood but Gaetz has no paperwork as a guardian, then they are breaking the law. Parents have actually gone to jail for falsifying addresses for kids to go to a different school.
Additionally, Gaetz at first claimed Nestor “Lost” his mother, which is a lie. She is alive. So…..a 27 year old with a drinking problem, took in a 13 year old boy with no oversite and is rabidly anti-LGBT.
Calling Kevin Spacey.
TonyPSP
The whole story seems odd. I still say had a gay man been given a 12 year old boy to raise with no legal paperwork documented it, he would be in jail. Father alive, mother maybe alive, sister alive and all have lived in the US, hmmmmm.
Heywood Jablowme
When I first read about Nestor, I thought right away about Gaylord “Greg” Focker (Ben Stiller) and his “son” Jorge. I’m glad a Twitter-er thought of that too.
Rep. Gaylord Gaetz has a nice ring to it!
russellhm
I suspect the more accurate greeting on Father’s Day would have Matt to Nestor: “My warmest wishes to your Daddy’s favorite uncle.”
Invader7
Goetz is a mean ,vile, viscious, horrid NASTY vile d-bag Neo Nazi Drumpf coward. Hopefully the Florida DFCS is investigating the “arrangement” concerning his “son”.. Bet there’s some sex involved with those two… Scandal erupting in 5,4,3,2,1…..
Topazme
This is so annoying…i normally hate when people put labels on others and like obsessively say that this given celebrity is gay but this man is clearly gay……whenever i see him my gaydar goes off the charts and so does many other people’s…..we were not wrong about Aaron Schock and neither are we wrong now or for Lindsay Graham…sadly only way these two republicans are coming out is when they are ousted from the office and back to civilian like like Aaron Schock did…and who knows maybe those two Matt Gaetz and Lindsay Graham are banging….but yeah there is something really creepy about his relationship with his “son”…
Gay Thomas
This is a reminder that Congressman Matt Gaetz was the only member of Congress who voted against an anti-human trafficking bill.
Now we know why.
LumpyPillows
Gaetz is a dangerous, mentally unfit man. How he became a congressman is beyond me. What? He’s a republican? Oh, I get it now. My bad.
Max
he’s of the uneducated Republican ilk that occupies breathing room.
hotdogla
Wowzers, I suspect Matt needs to manage his meds. It’s really scary to think hes still a decision maker. Get some help Matt.
Creamsicle
I have no insights into Gaetz and his “son’s” relationship.
But I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I’m expecting it to really make a thud.