A video of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) that went viral on Friday is causing a lot of concern on social media.
The video has been edited in a way that it distorts what the Republican lawmaker actually said, showing Gaetz telling an America First crowd that conservatives have an "obligation" to use the Second Amendment on Big Tech companies.
BREAKING: Left Spreads Deceptive Tape Against Gaetz, Edited Speech to Make It Sound Violent https://t.co/NoRgCNtFET
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) May 28, 2021
The doctored video can be found here:
Florida Man @mattgaetz, talking about Silicon Valley canceling conservatives says "We have a 2nd amendment in this country and I THINK WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO USE IT!" pic.twitter.com/FFEWnyEF0o
— KevinlyFather ???????? (@KevinlyFather) May 27, 2021
The edited video shows Gaetz talking about censorship by Big Tech companies.
"Let us use the Constitution to strengthen our argument, and our movement. We have a First Amendment right to speak and assemble, and we better use it. The internet’s hall monitors out in Silicon Valley, they think they can suppress us, discourage us," says Gaetz in the edited video.
"Maybe if you're just a little less patriotic, maybe if you just conform to their way of thinking a little more, then you will be allowed to participate in the digital world," Gaetz continues in the clip. "Well, you know what? Silicon Valley can't cancel this movement or this rally or this congressman."
The video then cuts to another point in the speech where Gaetz states, "We have a Second Amendment in this country, and I think we have an obligation to use it." The deceptive clip left out context that those were two separate thoughts. The last sentence started an entire discussion of the Second Amendment.
Gaetz's entire speech took place at an "America First" rally last night:
Here is the full ?@mattgaetz? video from last night, with the First Amendment context that was omitted in the viral doctored clip posted by liars yesterday pic.twitter.com/gsfjNBfTtv
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) May 28, 2021
News outlets like Mediate "got rupared," explained Human Events senior editor Jack Posobiec, meaning the publication fell for the edit.
Mediaite got rupared! https://t.co/fhXq7gcynm
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) May 28, 2021
So did the Independent, which echoed the same conflation.
False https://t.co/6It0TT9w42
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) May 28, 2021
Politics Insider followed suit as did numerous others.
Politics Insider fell for the rupared Gaetz video. So did many. https://t.co/XYomj2JBHA
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) May 28, 2021
HuffPost claimed that Gaetz "called for violence" the day following the mass shooting in San Jose.
No, he didn't https://t.co/CKr1V48uED
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) May 28, 2021
Group blog Boing Boing alleged Gaetz encouraged the crowd "to shoot Silicon Valley workers."
This never happened https://t.co/IZd50u8VJD
— AntifaBook.com (@JackPosobiec) May 28, 2021
The Dispatch's editor-in-chief Jonah Goldberg joined the delusional forces. "I want to be clear: There are only three options: He's evil, he's stupid, or he's both."
I want to be clear: There are only three options: He’s evil, he’s stupid, or he’s both. https://t.co/WbyRlNCGxM
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahDispatch) May 28, 2021
The Bulwark columnist Amanda Carpenter was duped as well: "Why do we need a January 6 Commission? Because the threat is ongoing. See below."
Why do we need a January 6 Commission? Because the threat is ongoing. See below. https://t.co/mvNliO485N
— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) May 27, 2021
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) revealed how he fails to understand the law or the First Amendment, claiming the instance wasn't protected speech under the First Amendment and was "beyond yelling fire in a theater."
This is not speech protected by the first amendment. This is beyond yelling fire in a theater. https://t.co/FyIcIqqsIl
— Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger) May 28, 2021
"The speech that @AdamKinzinger is trying to declare criminal here as outside the bounds of the First Amendment is virtually identical to the speech that the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) was protected political speech," commented journalist Glenn Greenwald.
If anything, the speech that the Brandenburg court ruled cannot be punished was far more explicit in its advocacy of violence that Rep. Gaetz's far more subtle allusions to the 2nd Amendment.
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) May 28, 2021
Either way, it's dangerous for a member of Congress to try to declare speech a crime.
"If anything, the speech that the Brandenburg court ruled cannot be punished was far more explicit in its advocacy of violence that Rep. Gaetz's far more subtle allusions to the 2nd Amendment," rebutted Greenwald. "Either way, it's dangerous for a member of Congress to try to declare speech a crime."
Powered by StructureCMS™ Comments
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
Comments