New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz the name 'Matt Putz' and a 'fool.
On Dec. 4, 2020, the Call to Activism Facebook page posted a meme that claimed New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz ''Matt Putz' and a 'fool' who should stay out of New Jersey after Gaetz ignored NJ COVID rules.' It is true that Murphy called Gaetz 'Matt Putz' and also referred to him as a 'fool.' Video of the moment was posted on Twitter. The 'Matt Putz' moment comes at the 1:01 mark: 'Matt Putz' I can't get enough of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. @GovMurphy for the win... pic.twitter.com/zoJpeqeuFs - Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) December 4, 2020 That video was also retweeted by the account for @GovMurphy: Murphy's account also tweeted the name 'Matt Putz': It is also beyond the pale that Rep Matt Putz - I mean @RepMattGaetz - would participate in this. What a fool. Matt - You are not welcome in New Jersey, and frankly I don't ever want you back in this state. pic.twitter.com/j67x9Z2lAf - Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 4, 2020 NBC New York reported on the story, writing that it was out of character for the governor to go after another politician in such a manner: Phil Murphy, New Jersey's ordinarily mild-mannered governor, had strong words Friday for Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and a group of New York City Young Republicans who held a gala event in Jersey City in violation of social distancing rules. The event was held Thursday night, and photos on social media show a tightly packed crowd - with no masks - surrounding Gaetz, who represents part of the Florida Panhandle and who was apparently a guest of honor at the event. 'That guy in the middle, the tall, handsome fella in the gray suit, that is Representative Matt Putz - oh sorry, Matt Gaetz, and based upon his past performances, it is obvious being a knucklehead is not beyond the pale for him,' Murphy said at a news conference. 'He was actually Sarah Palin's backup act for this event.' It's true that Gaetz attended a gala with the New York Young Republican Club, and he was pictured maskless with others at the event. While Gaetz was a guest speaker, the keynote speaker was listed as James O'Keefe of the conservative activist group Project Veritas. Gaetz published a number of tweets in response to Murphy's calling him out, including one that said: 'You're gonna regret this tweet when you move to Florida like the rest of New Jersey.' He also said he would be returning to New Jersey in the future.
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