Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., told Michael Cohen he chose his words “poorly” in a text message sent last week apologizing for a tweet that was widely seen as a threat to the former Trump lawyer and his family.
“Mr. Cohen, this is Congressman Matt Gaetz,” the congressman said, according to Vanity Fair. “I am writing to personally tell you I’m sorry for the tweet that I sent which many believe was threatening to you. It was never ever ever my intent to threaten you in any way.”
“While you don’t know me,” Gaetz added, “that is not who I am and how I operate. I do not wish any harm to you or your family. I was upset at what was transpiring and chose my words poorly. I will work to be better, as I know you said today you will as well. Have a good evening. – Matt.”
The report says Cohen quickly responded.
“Congressman Gaetz, I cannot thank you enough for your message,” Cohen wrote back. “The tweet, sadly, has only made a bad situation worse … not only for my wife but for my children as well. With your permission, I would like to share your message with my wife and children. Hopefully, it will bring a little peace to their damaged life. We all make mistakes especially in this crazy partisan time. Thank you again for your text and I hope that the tweet does not cause you any harm. If it does, and there is anything I can do to help you correct it, please feel free to reach out and I would be happy to assist.”
Cohen testified to three congressional committees last week about his work for President Trump, including before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday in a public setting in which he cast his former boss as a liar, schemer, and racist.
The night before Cohen’s open testimony, Gaetz, a vocal supporter of the president, asked Cohen on Twitter, “Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison. She’s about to learn a lot…”
Gaetz later deleted the tweet and apologized for it, claiming he never meant to threaten anybody, but not before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., suggested it be examined by the House Ethics Committee. Later, it was reported the congressman became the subject of a probe into his tweet about Cohen by the Florida state bar.
Edward-Isaac Dovere, a staff writer at the Atlantic, tweeted that Gaetz was overheard speaking to the president Wednesday evening, saying, “was happy to do it for you” in regards to the Cohen tweet.
Gaetz has vociferously denied the conversation was with Trump, saying he was on the phone talking about an airport board recommendation with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has confirmed they had a conversation that evening and Gaetz used those words.
