Liz Cheney sparks outrage over disparaging comments about Republican congressman wearing make-up

Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney sparked a backlash after one of her aides criticised Florida representative Matt Gaetz for wearing make-up.

Hitting out at Gaetz as part of an ongoing GOP feud, Cheney’s spokesman said:

“Gaetz can leave his beauty bag at home. In Wyoming, the men don’t wear makeup.”

This is likely a reference to HBO’s documentary The Swamp, in which Gaetz can be seen applying his own makeup before being interviewed on TV.

Tensions between Gaetz and Cheney have been escalating since the latter voted to impeach Trump earlier this month.

Cheney, the third highest-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, led nine others to vote in favour of Trump’s second impeachment after he “lit the flame” of his supporters’ attack on the Capitol.

Having successfully passed through the House of Representatives, in part because of Cheney’s vocal support, Trump’s impeachment trial will take place in the Senate in February. 

Gaetz, a Trump loyalist who fiercely opposed his impeachment, is campaigning for Cheney’s removal from office. He accused her of working “behind the scenes” against Trump’s agenda and has even planned a speech to denounce her in her own state. Other Republicans have also criticised Cheney for breaking rank. 

But even some of those who support Cheney’s decision to impeach Trump have called out her office for “[fanning] the flames of homophobia and transphobia” with their comment about makeup.

Cheney has yet to comment on her spokesperson’s remark.

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