Following Saturday's vote to fund the war in Ukraine with $60 billion in borrowed money, Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) didn't hold back when appearing on CNN and attacking several of his Republican colleagues in Congress.
Appearing on CNN's “State of the Union” with host Dana Bash, Gonzales discussed the recent passage of a multibillion-dollar foreign aid package and the possibility of House Speaker Mike Johnson being removed from office.
Instead of taking a diplomatic tone to unite the party, the Texas congressman criticized Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Bob Good (R-VI) for making a variety of false claims about their political and private lives.
Below is the exchange:
bash: So you voted for the foreign aid package. At this point, are you confident that he can survive, given that it's still possible that Marjorie Taylor Greene will step down as chair and be kicked out?
Gonzalez: He will survive. Look, the house is a rough and rowdy place, but Mike Johnson will be just fine. I served in the military for 20 years. It is truly an honor to be a member of the National Assembly, but I serve with real scum. Matt Gaetz paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties. Bob Good supported my neo-Nazi opponent.
These people used to walk around at night wearing white hoods. Now they walk around wearing white hoods even during the day. Look, it's not surprising that some of these people voted against support for Israel, but I was heartened to see Republicans vote almost 10 to 1 in support of our allies on the battlefield.
bash: Wow, I see. I would like to tell you that the federal government investigated Matt Gaetz and those claims and decided not to prosecute.
As seen in the last conversation, even Bash was shocked by Gonzales' remarks.
Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales: “I work with some real scumbags. Matt Gaetz paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties.”
pic.twitter.com/Z50B6lfgKs— Republicans Against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 21, 2024
Following Rep. Gonzalez's reprehensible remarks, his main conservative opponent Brandon Herrera responded to his vicious attack on Twitter.
Brandon Herrera: Rep. Tony Gonzales' fiasco was on CNN this morning when he called Rep. Matt Gaetz, Rep. Bob Good Klansmen, and me “known neo-Nazis.” This is the death spiral. ladies and gentlemen. He has to cry about me to his liberal friends. Because Republicans won't listen anymore.
My National Assembly Failure @TonyGonzales4TX I called CNN this morning and went. @mattgaetz and @RepBobGood Klansmen and I are “known neo-Nazis.”
This is the death spiral. ladies and gentlemen.
He has to cry about me to his liberal friends. Because Republicans won't listen anymore. pic.twitter.com/Wal5m3NclP
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) April 21, 2024
** You can support Brandon Herrera for Congress here.
Rep. Ellie Crane Jumped in to defend conservative lawmakers
thank you @EliCrane_CEO.
It looks crazy @TonyGonzales4TX As a closeted leftist, he shows his true colors publicly on CNN. But at least now voters #TX23 We can see more clearly than ever how much Turncoat Tony prioritizes a single-party agenda over America First policies. https://t.co/pAwvDpLPfV
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) April 22, 2024
Republican voters also rejected Rep. Gonzalez's smear.
how low can it be @TonyGonzales4TX go? This shows how scared and desperate he is. He's actually labeling his opponent in his congressional runoff race a “known neo-Nazi” backstabber. I hope the good people at TX-23 see through this garbage. @RepTonyGonzales The ass… https://t.co/G0lUqZ5Bex
— Nuance Bro (@NuanceBro) April 21, 2024
And George Santos expressed Tony Gonzales' determination to pass amnesty for the millions of illegal aliens in the United States.
Gonzalez is not conservative.
when i was in congress @RepTonyGonzales He used to lobby me for some kind of amnesty push he was planning…
Knowing that I had strong opinions and a desire to solve the immigration problem, he thought he would persuade me to work with him. He used to call me into his office for meetings…
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) April 21, 2024
It's time to start cleaning house and freeing yourself from that horrible RINO. Maybe we can start by kicking González out of Congress.
** Once again – please support Brandon Herrera’s congressional bid here.