MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden jumped on the internet buzz about Rep. Matt Gaetz’s appearance at the Republican National Convention and likened his adversary to a sex doll.
“RNC debuts first AI powered inflatable sex doll to speak at a national convention,” Van Orden chided on X alongside an unflattering photo of Gaetz (R-Fla.) from the address.
Gaetz, 42, promptly shrugged off the broadside, telling The Post, “I find it odd that Mr. Van Orden thinks about me as a sex doll. Thoughts and prayers to his wife.”
Gaetz and Van Orden, 54, have long feuded, particularly over the internal GOP speakership spat. Both Gaetz and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) enjoyed an awkward reunion at the convention this week.
The Sunshine State Republican led the mutiny of eight Republicans who banded together with a solid bloc of Democrats to topple the speaker last year.
“I just saw this. Tubby did not need to ‘physically held back’ he pulled a ‘Hold me back bro’ move to look like a tough guy because he is in fact, is a little bitch,” Van Orden mused in response to a clip of Gaetz and McCarthy crossing paths again.
During that exchange, Gaetz taunted McCarthy, telling him that he’d “get boo’ed off the stage if you were to speak.”
McCarthy did not land a speaking gig at the RNC, unlike Gaetz, who sent netizens into a frenzy and sparked speculation that he got Botox beforehand.
“He looks very unhinged. A lot of people have concerns about him, and I’m not sure if he was on something,” McCarthy later reflected to CNN.
“But I do hope that he gets the help that he needs. More importantly, I hope the young women get the justice they deserve when it comes to him.”
Gaetz has steadfastly denied wrongdoing pertaining to allegations of sexual encounters with young women. The Justice Department declined last year to pursue charges in the case after conducting an investigation into sex trafficking.
McCarthy has publicly speculated that Gaetz’s mutiny against him was motivated by a desire for the former speaker to quash an ethics investigation into the Florida firebrand. Gaetz has denied that claim as well.
Back in April, Van Orden called Gaetz “tubby” during a blowup on the House floor amid a dispute over whether Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) should’ve brought a Ukraine aid bill up for a vote.
Gaetz called Van Orden a “squish.”
On Tuesday, Van Orden claimed that he had been assaulted by a protester just outside the convention perimeter.
“While standing in line to enter an event at the RNC today, I was assaulted by what appeared to be a member of the pro-Hamas group CODEPINK. A nearby police officer witnessed this assault and I understand they have been arrested,” he posted on X.
“Republicans have been intimidated and targeted for years including the attempted assassination of President Trump and we will no longer standby and allow lawlessness.”