U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz has denied an allegation that he is having an affair with a member of his staff, calling it “totally false and libelous.”
The allegation, made by Rebekah Jones, the Democrat candidate House Republican Gaetz defeated in November 2022 to secure re-election, has gone viral on social media, receiving more than 6.9 million views on Twitter alone.
“Matt Gaetz is believed to be having an affair with his press secretary, Joel Valdez, according to three independent sources,” Jones tweeted on Tuesday.
“Gaetz’ office and his wife have not responded to requests for comment. This is not Gaetz’ first affair, nor is it his first w/a [with a] man,” she added.
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In a second tweet, she wrote: “I observed their, er, intimacy in a moment they thought was private after our debate but didn’t want to speculate without proof.”
The tweets have been widely shared, receiving more than 42,000 likes and over 8,000 retweets to reach millions of social media users.
Asked by another Twitter user to provide “more concrete info,” Jones said she “had two camera crews filming me” at the time, so she didn’t need to do anything.
In a statement sent to Newsweek, Gaetz’s office fervently denied the allegations, commenting: “Thrice fired, indicted, politically defeated, mentally unstable people shouldn’t be considered sources by serious media. Mrs. Jones’ statements referenced no sourcing or evidence in her defamatory posts.”
“Any insinuation that Congressman Matt Gaetz has been starting relationships with staff is totally false and libelous.”
Joel Valdez, a University of Illinois graduate, has been Gaetz’s communications director since April 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile.
!!!BREAKING!!!
Matt Gaetz is believed to be having an affair with his press secretary, Joel Valdez, according to three independent sources.
Gaetz' office and his wife have not responded to requests for comment.
This is not Gaetz' first affair, nor is it his first w/a man.
— Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) January 24, 2023
I observed their, er, intimacy in a moment they thought was private after our debate but didn't want to speculate without proof.
— Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) January 24, 2023
