Former Rep. Matt Gaetz has denied claims that he and Reacher star Alan Ritchson have been “adversaries” in highschool, however his current feedback would possibly make them rivals now.
The drama began when Ritchson was requested about Gaetz in a current interview with GQ. The pair attended the identical Florida highschool and have been members of the identical speech and debate crew. Nevertheless, in response to Ritchson, the 2 of them didn’t see eye to eye.
“That motherf*****. We’re adversaries,” the actor advised the outlet. “It’s stunning to me that the panhandle of Florida continues to vote for anyone — figuring out all the things we learn about him and the guarantees that he’s made behind closed doorways about pardoning sure criminals — he’s simply not an excellent dude!”
Gaetz took to X on Thursday (February 20) to hit again at Ritchson’s feedback, writing, “Hollywood apparently adjustments folks!”
Hollywood apparently adjustments folks!
Alan was a yr behind me in highschool and we have been each on the Speech and Debate Staff.
We weren’t “adversaries” as I gained debate championships and Alan did extra appearing stuff. As I recall, his older brother Eric gained extra typically than Alan… https://t.co/7FjSf0TnDd
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 20, 2025
“Alan was a yr behind me in highschool and we have been each on the Speech and Debate Staff,” Gaetz continued. “We weren’t “adversaries” as I gained debate championships and Alan did extra appearing stuff. As I recall, his older brother Eric gained extra typically than Alan did.”
He added, “He was at all times very good to me (and everybody) and his mom, the pc lab monitor, liked me. At her invitation, I even went to his dad’s retirement occasion from the Air Drive. It was held at a karaoke bar known as “lewbos” in Niceville the place his dad sang sittin on the dock of the bay. I sang centerfold.”
The previous congressman then returned to X late Thursday evening to proceed his response, going as far as to accuse Ritchson of taking steroids.
Spoiler alert:
We weren’t adversaries.
He’s simply attempting to get Hollywood consideration (however not simply with the steroids)
I keep in mind the time his mother (who’s great) wouldn’t let me learn the Ken Starr Report in 1998 within the NHS laptop lab as a result of….(you already know) https://t.co/njyCf2XEjU
— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) February 21, 2025
“Spoiler alert: We weren’t adversaries. He’s simply attempting to get Hollywood consideration (however not simply with the steroids),” Gaetz wrote. “I keep in mind the time his mother (who’s great) wouldn’t let me learn the Ken Starr Report [the investigation into then-President Bill Clinton] in 1998 within the NHS laptop lab as a result of….(you already know).”
When an X consumer requested concerning the steroids declare within the replies, Gaetz responded, “Yeah. I legit really feel sorry for his testicles. I may need taken roids however for the elevated chance of dying….and shrunken testicles.”
Yeah. I legit really feel sorry for his testicles.
I may need taken roids however for the elevated chance of dying….and shrunken testicles.
— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) February 21, 2025
Ritchson presently stars because the title character within the Amazon Prime sequence Reacher, the third season of which premiered Thursday (February 20). His different credit embody Smallville, Blue Mountain State, Blood Drive, and Titans.
Gaetz, in the meantime, debuted his new discuss present on the conservative One America Information community on January 2. This got here after he resigned from the Home after Donald Trump tapped him as his lawyer normal nominee in November 2024.
Nevertheless, Gaetz withdrew his identify from consideration for the lawyer normal function following allegations he paid for intercourse—together with with a 17-year-old—and abused unlawful medicine throughout his tenure within the U.S. Home of Representatives. Gaetz has denied the allegations and has not been charged.