Two pro-Trump Republicans clashed when Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) traded barbs over congressional stock trading, long one of the perks of holding office.
The Florida Republican who has been an outspoken critic of elected representatives playing the market where it is suspected by many that they benefit from insider info, set off the fireworks when he posted a graphic showing the senator’s net worth exploding since he was elected in 2018.
“We should pass a ban on trading stocks!” Gaetz wrote.
“Members of Congress officially earn $174K/year. They often make much more than that in the stock market. I’ve been writing code to estimate how much wealth politicians gain in office. I’ll be sharing the results, here’s one example. Who do you want to see next?” Financial services account Quiver Quantitative posted to X with a picture of Mullin.
“In his most recent financial disclosure report, Mullin reported assets totaling between $26 million to $100 million, including shares in individual stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds,” the Oklahoman reported.
“I hear @RepMattGaetz has criticism of hard-earned success — he should try building a business that gains value, it’s more gratifying than living off your daddy’s money,” Sen. Mullin responded.
“The only thing I criticized were your stock trades while a member of congress,” Gaetz fired back. “I want to ban those trades. You cashed in and made millions.”
Adding his two cents was Doug Stafford, former chief of staff for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) who suggested that those who live in glass houses should refrain from throwing stones.
“You literally inherited your business from your father lol,” he said. Mullin took over the family plumbing business at 20 years old when his father became ill.
The senator is more than a bit sensitive over suggestions that he was handed success on a silver platter and in a heated exchange during a Senate hearing last month, he threatened to throw down with International Brotherhood of Teamsters boss Sean O’Brien over a tweet that he took exception with.
(Video: YouTube/WFAA)
“Greedy CEO who pretends like he’s self made. In reality, just a clown & fraud. Always has been, always will be. Quit the tough guy act in these senate hearings. You know where to find me. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy,” the union chieftain wrote of Mullin in June.
“You want to run your mouth? We can be two consenting adults, we can finish it here,” the Oklahoma Republican told O’Brien.
“OK, that’s fine, perfect,” the Teamsters leader shot back. “I’d love to do it right now.”
“Then stand your butt up then,” replied, Mullin as he rose to his feet with it looking like there would be fisticuffs, prompting crypto-commie Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to break in before a brawl broke out.
“No, no, sit down! Sit down! You’re a United States senator!” The socialist curmudgeon shouted, before adding, “This is a hearing. And God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress, let’s not make it worse.”
“I’m a guy from Oklahoma first, and in Oklahoma you don’t do this. Maybe you run your mouth in New Jersey,” Mullin explained to host Sean Hannity on Fox News after the incident. “But this is some thug that’s a mob boss. And you’re supposed to be intimidating because he’s the boss of the Teamsters– and he’s gotten away with this.
“You’re not going to run your mouth at me and expect me to sit there and — you should have seen the fear in his eyes when I stood up, too. And I’m not joking,” the senator added.
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Chris Donaldson is an ordinary American who is concerned about rampant corruption as well as the ongoing attacks on our way of life by those who have contempt for our hard-earned freedoms. A Navy veteran, he has been a frequent contributor to conservative websites and resides in Florida.
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