'Be offended': GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz tells female reporter that women protesting repeal of Roe need not worry about abortion access because they're too 'ugly and overweight' to get pregnant

  • The Florida congressman on Saturday used a Turning Point USA Student Action Summit to mock women who were demanding access to abortion
  • 'Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions?' he said
  • On Monday Gaetz was asked to explain his comments, and clarify whether he meant pro-choice protesters were ugly and overweight. 'Yes,' he replied
  • Asked how he felt about those who may be angered by his remarks, Gaetz replied: 'Be offended'
  • In May, he called pro-choice women 'over-educated, under-loved millennials who sadly return from their protests to a lonely microwave dinner with their cats'

By Harriet Alexander For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Matt Gaetz laughed off anger at his claim that all abortion rights protesters are too unattractive and overweight to get pregnant, telling those upset by his comments: 'Be offended.'

The Florida congressman on Saturday joked about the demonstrations against the Supreme Court's repeal of Roe v. Wade, mocking those who wanted to protect access to abortion nationwide.

'Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions?' Gaetz told college students at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa.

'Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb.'

On Monday, he was asked to explain his comments.

'I'm very pro-life and I make no apology for it,' the 40-year-old said.

Matt Gaetz on Monday said he stood by his labelling of pro-choice activists as 'ugly and overweight'

Matt Gaetz on Monday said he stood by his labelling of pro-choice activists as 'ugly and overweight'

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The 40-year-old on Saturday told the Turning Point summit (pictured): 'Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions? Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb'

The 40-year-old on Saturday told the Turning Point summit (pictured): 'Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions? Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb'

'I'm grateful that Roe has been overturned and that Dobbs is now the jurisprudence on abortion. I find these people that go out in these pro-abortion, pro-murder rallies odious - and just, like, ugly on the inside and out. I make no apology for it.'

He said he didn't think everyone who disagreed with him was 'an ugly person', but condemned those who protested outside the homes of the Supreme Court justices and called for a 'night of rage' in Washington DC.

Gaetz was asked by Channel 3: 'Is it safe to say that, based off your comments, you're suggesting that these women at these abortion rallies are ugly and overweight?'

'Yes,' he replied.

Asked: 'What do you say to people who think those comments are offensive?' the congressman replied: 'Be offended.'

Gaetz, who is currently under federal investigation for the sex trafficking of a minor, on Saturday heaped scorn on women demanding abortion access.

Gaetz has denied the sex-trafficking allegations, and no charges have been filed against him. The New York Times first reported the existence of the federal investigation into Gaetz in March 2021.

'These people are odious on the inside and out,' Gaetz said at the summit. 'They're like 5'2", 350 pounds and they're like, "Give me my abortions or I'll get up and march and protest." And I'm thinking, "March?" You look like you got ankles weaker than the legal reasoning behind Roe v. Wade.

'A few of them need to get up and march. They need to get up and march for like an hour a day, swing those arms, get the blood pumping, maybe mix in a salad.'

Members of the Democratic Women's Caucus and leaders from CPD Action affiliate organizations march on July 19 to demand abortion access

Members of the Democratic Women's Caucus and leaders from CPD Action affiliate organizations march on July 19 to demand abortion access

Activists and politicians protest in Washington DC on July 19

Activists and politicians protest in Washington DC on July 19

Demonstrators are seen in front of the Indiana State Capitol on Monday

Demonstrators are seen in front of the Indiana State Capitol on Monday

The decision to repeal Roe v. Wade has sparked angry protests nationwide

The decision to repeal Roe v. Wade has sparked angry protests nationwide

Crowds of both anti-abortion and abortion rights protesters are seen inside Indiana's state senate on Monday

Crowds of both anti-abortion and abortion rights protesters are seen inside Indiana's state senate on Monday

It's not the first time he has ridiculed those campaigning to uphold Roe v. Wade.

In May, when the draft Supreme Court decision leaked, Gaetz made his disdain for their activism clear.

'How many of the women rallying against overturning Roe are over-educated, under-loved millennials who sadly return from their protests to a lonely microwave dinner with their cats, and no bumble matches?' Gaetz tweeted.

FloridaMatt GaetzUS Supreme Court

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