'Rino season': Internet divided as Matt Gaetz gloats that ‘we’ve now 86’d McCarthy, McDaniel, McConnell’

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) and several other Republicans celebrated Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's declaration on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, that he will relinquish his leadership position in November this year. 

The Florida Republican also referenced former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in the tweet which read, "We’ve now 86’d: McCarthy, McDaniel, McConnell."

Matt Gaetz says Republicans seek better days ahead

In October 2023, McCarthy lost his position as speaker following a successful campaign led by Gaetz. Following remarks made earlier this week by former president Donal Trump—of whom Gaetz is a fervent supporter—that the RNC needed a new leadership team, McDaniel announced that she will step down from her position in March.

Gaetz added in his tweet, "Better days are ahead for the Republican Party."

After the 2022 midterm elections, the Sunshine State congressman made fun of the three GOP leaders because he thought there would be a "red wave" of Republican victory.

Gaetz tweeted at the time, "McCarthy, McConnell, McDaniel … McFailure."

Similar to this, the House Freedom Caucus was ecstatic about McConnell's announcement on Wednesday.

The group of congressional conservative hardliners tweeted, "Our thoughts are with our Democrat colleagues in the Senate on the retirement of their Co-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (D-Ukraine). No need to wait till November … Senate Republicans should IMMEDIATELY elect a *Republican* Minority Leader."

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) asked, "Why wait so long-we need new leadership now," reiterating the Freedom Caucus' objections to McConnell's schedule. The Missouri Republican referred to the decision as "good news" and stated that he "called on McConnell to step down over a year ago."

The Kentucky Republican's retirement, according to Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida), is "an opportunity to refocus" GOP efforts on topics that "actually reflect the aspirations of voters."

Scott faced McConnell for the leadership position in 2022. McConnell "will go down in history as a spineless follower who cowered to a wannabe dictator clown," according to the anti-Trump Lincoln Project.

Internet reacts as Matt Gaetz says 'better days are ahead for the Republican Party'

Many internet users shared their opinions as Matt Gaetz said that better days are ahead for the Republican Party after McConnell announced that he is stepping down from his position in November 2024.

An X user tweeted, "Gaetz is on a winning streak!" while another added, "McCarthy McDaniel McConnell Irish Spring cleaning."

One user also wrote, "Gaetz is a Loser," while another added, "I’m Irish and I’m not offended. Those rinos needed to go!"

A person wrote, "Bro, he’s about to kick the bucket. You had nothing to do with this," while one stated, "You’ve lost the last three elections. Congrats."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.