Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, proudly announced his affinity for wearing make-up during a Monday interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity.
Context: Gaetz, a frequent guest on Hannity’s eponymous show, was responding to criticism from Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, a fellow Republican.
- Over the weekend, Gaetz called for Cheney’s ouster as House Republican Conference Chair after she voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump a second time.
- Gaetz also announced he’d be hosting an event in Wyoming this week aimed at rallying GOP members to denounce Cheney.
- In response, Cheney’s office told the Washington Examiner, “Rep. Gaetz can leave his beauty bag at home. In Wyoming, the men don’t wear make-up.”
In a recent HBO documentary, Gaetz is seen remarking that he does his own makeup for TV interviews.
The moment: On Monday, Hannity mentioned Cheney’s jab, saying, “And by the way, I wonder if any other member of the Cheney family maybe wore make-up during interviews and saw the cheap shot.”
- “I don’t mind,” Gaetz replied. “Listen, I’m happy to put on the best version of myself and I think we should put forward the best versions of our party.”
- Hannity responded, “I think you have a career in TV.”
Trouble in paradise: The chaotic events of Donald Trump’s final weeks in office have split the Republican party, as some GOP politicians have moved to distance themselves from the former president while others continue to back his agenda.
- Many establishment Republicans, including Cheney and Sen. Pat Toomey, have condemned the president’s involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot and supported his impeachment.
- Meanwhile, Trump’s surrogates and allies have vowed to primary Republicans who did not object to the certification of the Electoral College vote.
