Matt Gaetz faces criticism after suggesting Joe Biden's reelection could land him, Donald Trump and others in prison

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Florida Representative Matt Gaetz found himself at the center of social media mockery after addressing a fervent crowd at Cipriani’s flagship location on New York’s Wall Street on Saturday evening, December 9.

However, the event's main attraction was none other than former President Donald Trump, whose supporters enthusiastically chanted his name.

Matt Gaetz highlights the consequences of  reelecting President Joe Biden 

In attendance at the VIP cocktail hour ahead of the ceremonies were notable figures such as Rep Cory Mills, Rep Lauren Boebert, Andrew Giuliani, and former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who secured his own table for the event at a cost of approximately $700 per ticket.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was spotted at a table with his former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik.

Gaetz, a staunch supporter of the embattled former President, painted a grim picture of the future for Trump supporters if President Joe Biden were to be reelected, warning of a unified "cell block" awaiting them.

"Just think of the MAGA talent we have assembled here - Steve Bannon, Bernie Kerik, Boris Epshteyn, Vish Burra, Rudy Giuliani, President Trump and myself all under one roof and if Joe Biden is re-elected, that roof will be known as cell block A," Gaetz said as he received both cheers and jeers from the crowd.

Internet slams Matt Gaetz's remarks 

Social media erupted with a barrage of reactions poking fun at the Republican firebrand.

"That's not the flex he thinks it is," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Sounds good to me," another quipped.

"Matt Gaetz should be in prison," a comment read.

"Imagine threatening us with good times," someone else joked. "Have you done something you should be worried about going to jail for Mr. Gaetz? If anyone else on his list ends up going to jail, it certainly won’t be because of Joe Biden," another offered. 

However, amidst the trolling, Gaetz continues to draw criticism from fellow Republicans.

Weeks after leading the ouster of Rep Kevin McCarthy from the speakership, some GOP members are reportedly discussing the possibility of expelling Gaetz from Congress, sources told USA Today.

Several Republican House members, still angered by Gaetz's previous actions hindering legislative progress, are now considering Gaetz's ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee, per the outlet. This discussion gained traction following the expulsion of embattled former Rep George Santos.

Gaetz, who had defended Santos on the House floor, emphasized the importance of upholding precedents and raised concerns about expelling a member who had not been convicted of a crime.

“I rise not to defend George Santos whoever he is, but to defend the very precedent that my colleagues are willing to shatter,” he said last week as per the outlet.

Donald Trump gloats about his poll numbers despite facing legal challenges

At the Saturday event, former President Trump rallied his supporters and warned President Biden about the repercussions of indicting a former commander-in-chief.

Trump said, “He’s opened up a Pandora’s box that will never let our country be the same. I can only say to Joe: Be very careful what you wish for, but you have done is a terrible thing,” addressing the ongoing legal challenges he faces with 91 felony counts from four separate state and federal probes.

The event, sponsored by the New York Young Republican Club, featured Trump boasting about his poll numbers despite facing legal challenges, and he vowed to win the GOP primary and the White House in the 2024 presidential election. 

“I am being indicted for you. These are not indictments in the traditional sense. These are Biden indictments against their political opponent,” he stated, adding, “I am the first guy who ever got indicted whose poll number went up." 

Trump said he would win the GOP primary and the White House in the 2024 presidential election — even vowing to win the deep blue Empire State. “We’re going to take New York,” he said.

Trump declared. “I believe we have a great chance … With hundreds of thousands of people living on the sidewalks and streets and illegal aliens invading our city and state like nobody thought possible.” 

Trump also took jabs at political rivals, including mocking Florida Gov Ron DeSantis as “DeSanctimonious" and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley as “birdbrain.” He also referred to New York Attorney General Letitia James as “Peekaboo James” and a “vicious lunatic," per the New York Post.