In a surreal scene outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is underway, GOP lawmakers faced an unexpected dose of truth from a lone protester wielding a simple yet powerful sign: “Bootlickers.”
As Reps. Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Andy Biggs, Anna Paulina Luna, and Ralph Norman stood in solidarity with the embattled former president, their fervent support was interrupted by the blunt accusation of the sign behind them. This display of loyalty, while intended to showcase their commitment to Trump, only served to highlight their willingness to sacrifice integrity for political gain.
Joined by other notable Republican figures such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Lauren Boebert, and Sens. J.D. Vance and Tommy Tuberville, these politicians have become symbols of the party’s descent into Trumpian sycophancy.
The pandering for the former president has been so bad that even Senator Mitt Romney condemned his colleagues’ actions as “demeaning” and “difficult to watch,” underscoring the growing divide within the party between those who remain loyal to Trump at any cost and those who refuse to compromise their principles.
Check out some reactions to the “bootlickers” protester below.
Someone holding a bootlickers sign above Matt Gaetz’s head pic.twitter.com/1P7M54Ec83
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 16, 2024
Accurate. https://t.co/t3UNOmbrEI
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 16, 2024
They misspelled 'butt'
— "OVERRULED. SIT DOWN!" ~~Earned My Spurs (@PlannedTheRide) May 16, 2024
Rapist McForehead Gaetz just keeps getting more cartoon-like every day.
— Meidas Steven Erickson (@StevenErick1976) May 16, 2024
Matt never gaetz it.
— Jim Muir (@jpmuir) May 16, 2024
That’s @RepOgles behind him.
This is who @TNGOP is. https://t.co/XxZyzRZnv3
— Nashville Resist 🗳️ Against Authoritarianism (@NashvilleResist) May 16, 2024
These guys left congress today (they’re in session) to wave pom-poms for their dear precious leader.
Reminder: they’re not focused on you or your lives, they’re like puppies running to the door to greet their humans after work — just wishing for Trump to smile at them. https://t.co/LJoBPndn1E
— Isaiah Martin (@isaiahrmartin) May 16, 2024
God that’s perfect.
— HB- RU?🌊🗽🇺🇸 (@HiBush) May 16, 2024
— We're big pants people (@Suzanne65347215) May 16, 2024
Probably Barron or Melania
— Renegade Cowboy🐾🐾 🌊⚓️🌊🐾🐾 (@Rene_gadeCowboy) May 16, 2024
