The New York Times reported this week that Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL)—a vocal ally of former President Donald Trump and one of the most far-right members of Congress—is under federal investigation for the sex trafficking of a minor.
The investigation centers around Gaetz allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17 year old girl and whether he paid for her to travel with him across state lines.
In a bizarre interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Gaetz insisted these allegations were false and part of an extortion effort from ex-Justice Department official David McGee. The investigation began under former Attorney General Bill Barr in the Justice Department of former President Donald Trump.
In a recent tweet, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announced her support for Gaetz.
Remember all the conspiracy theories and lies like Trump/Russia collusion and propaganda that the media has spread… https://t.co/nqb5zoV0Lv— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸) 1617202813.0
Greene told her followers to beware of "conspiracy theories," citing the investigation into the Trump campaign's involvement with Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Though Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did discover "numerous links between individuals with ties to the Russian government and individuals associated with the Trump Campaign," there wasn't sufficient evidence to charge Trump with a crime. Trump and Republicans described this as a "total exoneration" and continue to dismiss the entire investigation as being based on a conspiracy theory, as Greene did in her tweet.
It was striking to many that Greene, of all people, warned her followers to beware of conspiracy theories, because Greene's past embrace of deranged conspiracy theories is what got her booted from her committees in the House of Representatives.
In resurfaced Facebook posts, Greene supported delusions that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton murders children and drinks their blood, that the devastating California wildfires were started by space lasers, and that school shootings are coordinated by Democrats to weaken public support for the Second Amendment.
Greene has also indicated belief in QAnon, the mass delusion hinging on the belief that a covert network of satanic cannibal pedophiles secretly controls the U.S. government—and that Trump was sent to expose them.
Before her election, Greene said in a Facebook video:
"There's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take this global cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles out, and I think we have the president to do it."
Social media users found it rich that Greene was suddenly warning of the dangers posed by conspiracy theories.
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz Imagine promoting a crazy conspiracy theory that members of Congress are sex traffickers.....… https://t.co/OSQasJM7SI— Noble Prize in Sarcasm (@Noble Prize in Sarcasm) 1617202982.0
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz Well you certainly know about conspiracy theories - you spread enough of them.— Brian J. Karem (@Brian J. Karem) 1617204256.0
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz You said JEWISH SPACE LASERS START WILDFIRES so maybe sit this one out.— Reese(Marquis de Lafayette) (@Reese(Marquis de Lafayette)) 1617216065.0
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz Just the person you want as a character witness. 🤦🏾♂️— CHIDI®️ (@CHIDI®️) 1617207568.0
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz Yes I remember QAnon and all of their conspiracies. Tell me more.— C Bilodeau (@C Bilodeau) 1617253434.0
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz Qanon Margie talking about conspiracy theories is perfect. 😂😂😂— Lisa (@Lisa) 1617203349.0
Nevertheless, people weren't surprised by her support for Gaetz.
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz They often say that idiots stand together....makes sense.— Jeff Herbst (@Jeff Herbst) 1617233521.0
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz Well now this don’t surprise me , birds of a feather !— Justcallmemawmaw (@Justcallmemawmaw) 1617285007.0
@mtgreenee @mattgaetz You two are PERFECT for each other.— Cordelia Nance (@Cordelia Nance) 1617246667.0
It's unclear when or if the results of the investigation will be made public.