By Diane Roberts
The United States government has always been a rowdy, often nasty, bunch: fist fights, knives pulled, guns cocked.
In 1838, two House members fought a lethal duel, and, in 1856, pro-slavery Sen. Preston Brooks took out his cane and thrashed abolitionist Sen. Charles Sumner.
On Jan. 6, 2023, a North Carolina congressman had to stop an Alabama congressman from punching Florida’s own Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Many in Washington and beyond would like to punch Matt Gaetz, but in this particular instance he’d just tanked the 14th vote on making Kevin McCarthy speaker of the House, offending Rep. Mike Rogers, a McCarthy supporter.
McCarthy would go on to win the 15th vote.
Ten months later, McCarthy’d been ousted and boy, was he mad!
So mad he shoved Tennessee U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett — “a clean shot to the kidneys!” howled Burchett — sparking a near brawl in a Capitol corridor.
This is what happens when Mean Girls — who don’t have to actually be girls — run your government.
Take Matt Gaetz (again). The failed attorney general nominee, Lolita-fancier, and blue ribbon jerk, set the House’s Mean Girl standard, referring to an incoming Republican senator as “Mitt Romney without the good hair” and long-time Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as “McFailure,” bringing a Holocaust denier to a State of the Union address, passing around nude photos of his exes, and calling women who favor reproductive rights fat and ugly.
Gaetz is out of the House now, but the score-settling, tantrum-throwing state Randy Fine, only recently elected to the Florida Senate, has generously decided to run for Congress, so the nation will not feel the loss of his epic nastiness so keenly.
Fine’s resumé includes calling a Brevard County school board member a “whore” and threatening Special Olympics funding because he didn’t get invited to a party.
This past October, the judge presiding over an election filing dispute found him in contempt and ordered him to take an anger management course.
Gaetz must be proud.
Such an expert hissy fit-pitcher will fit right in with the likes of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. These two nearly launched into a slap fight over who got to try and impeach President Biden first.
Greene said Boebert “copied her articles” and called her “a little bitch.”
Hands-down winner
For her part, Boebert, famous for groping her date and singing loudly at a 2023 performance of “Beetlejuice” (she was “escorted out” of the theater), called fellow representative Ilhan Omar “black-hearted” and probably a terrorist because she is Muslim.
Impressively vile as Greene and Boebert are, the hands-down winner of the Meanest Mean Girl in Congress is Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina.
Mace used to be seen as a moderate Republican, a Donald Trump critic who demanded he be “held accountable” for lying and instigating the Jan. 6 insurrection.
But she has now executed a perfect volte-face, becoming one of his most passionate groupies, practically vibrating with spite.
This past November, Delaware elected Congress’ first trans woman, something Mace seems to take as a personal insult.
Rep. Sarah McBride, a Democrat, doesn’t make a big deal out of her gender status; Mace does, apparently convinced the minute McBride dares to enter a stall in the Capitol ladies’, Western Civilization will crumble into dust.
She trash-talks her fellow member relentlessly, too: “Sarah McBride doesn’t get a say. I mean, this is a biological man.”
Mace has videoed herself ripping down blue and pink trans flags, snarling like an enraged hyena, and insisted Mike Johnson, whose lordly powers as speaker include regulating toilets in the House of Representatives, forbade trans women to use women’s bathrooms.
Now she’s demanding Congress ban trans people from bathrooms in all federal properties.
Does Mace think persecuting people who are four times more likely than straight folks to be assaulted, raped, or killed helps America achieve a more perfect union?
Or is she being horrible for the sheer hell of it?
Cruelty
MAGA Mean Girls take pleasure in tormenting people, especially those weaker than themselves, and causing gratuitous pain. As Atlantic Monthly essayist Adam Serwer wrote in 2018, “The cruelty is the point.”
And nobody enjoys cruelty more than Donald Trump, Mean Girl of the Century.
He kicked off his first campaign by ridiculing a disabled New York Times reporter, mocking women as “pigs,” and insulting veterans. Once in office, he delighted in images of caged migrant children, promoted police brutality, celebrated violence, and humiliated everyone around him.
Now he’s obsessed with punishing every person who has ever said anything negative about him, contradicted him, or failed to conspicuously celebrate his greatness: scientists, lawyers, teachers, doctors, journalists, judges, environmentalists, professors.
He wants to fire more than half the federal workforce.
(Hope you don’t think that tax return or that Social Security check will arrive on time — or ever — anymore).
He threatens our allies, dissing NATO, and, just the other day, trolled Canada, musing on making it the 51st state and referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “governor.”
Canada is the United States’ largest trading partner.
He wants to jail reporters who displease him and destroy news organizations trying to hold him to account.
The United States Senate just blocked a bill that would have protected press freedom.
Trump told them to.
He wants President Joe Biden investigated for supposedly stealing the 2020 election; he wants former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, President Barack Obama, and the whole Jan. 6 committee tried for “treason.”
This is what you voted for, America: ignorant bullies, junior despots, petty mediocrities who take pleasure in others’ suffering.
p+
Nothing they do will improve your life, make you safer or freer or bring down the price of eggs.
They’re Mean Girls — Mean Girls don’t do public service.
Diane Roberts is an 8th-generation Floridian, born and bred in Tallahassee. Educated at Florida State University and Oxford University in England, she has been writing for newspapers since 1983, when she began producing columns on the legislature for the Florida Flambeau. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Times of London, the Guardian, the Washington Post, the Oxford American, and Flamingo. She has been a member of the Editorial Board of the St. Petersburg Times–back when that was the Tampa Bay Times’s name–and a long-time columnist for the paper in both its iterations. She was a commentator on NPR for 22 years and continues to contribute radio essays and opinion pieces to the BBC. Roberts is also the author of four books.
Syd says
Jealous much? Lol! We won, you lost. You’re being the mean girl honey.
Laurel says
You still don’t see it, do you Syd?
You will.
Skibum says
What… you mean our nation’s elections systems and processes are NOT fraudulent, NOT prone to supposed “Chinese hacking” of the states’ electronic vote tabulation equipment, NO supposed “ballot harvesting”, NO “funny business” during this presidential election… everything was hunky dory and above board… JUST BECAUSE YOUR GUY WON????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Put you white supremist pseudo “Cristian” nationalism cross hanging on that necklace back inside your shirt and hide it just like you hide your radical right-wing ideology when you happen to win and election, but become foaming-at-the-mouth, AR-15 in hand ready to storm seats of government wing nuts when you lose! Can’t have it both ways, Syd. Now, maybe, just maybe, YOU and others of your ilk can admit, once and for all, that the lies about fraudulent and stolen elections, including the 2020 presidential election that your guy actually, fairly and legally LOST, were all fake and made up just because the whiny orange blimp can’t stand EVER to be the loser he really is? Ready? Go ahead and make my day!
jackson says
Chaos, crisis, confusion, craziness, conspiracies, cringe, callousness, conmen and cowardice.
Maria says
It will all be cleared out on January 20, 2025. Just a little bit longer and we can all relax!!
Laurel says
Maria: On the entertainment side, it will be interesting to watch Trump try to live up to all the on the spot promises he made while campaigning. On the tedious side will be watching y’all frantically cover his ass and tell the rest of us what he really means when he says something absurd.
But, after all, entertainment is all he’s good for.
Ed Danko, Former Vice-Mayor PC says
It’s Christmas, so please my friend Pierre spare us the leftist one-sided ultra liberal views from Diane Roberts, at least until the New Year. America has spoken, and thank GOD Trump is President again! We all know Democrats cheated in 2020 and Biden doesn’t know what day it is. His administration has done enough damage. Liberals take off your Build Back Better hat ( if you even have one) and deal with it. And sorry Dianne, but perverted men in skirts need to stay the hell out of women’s bathrooms and sports. Randy Fine is an excellent choice, and will be our next congressman! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!
The dude says
The “Firmer” vice mayor has spoken.
Laurel says
You’re nutier than a Christmas fruitcake, buddy. No wonder PC is f**ked up!
joe says
“America has spoken…” – Sorry, Ed – Only about 49% of those who voted actually “spoke” for Trump.
“We all know Democrats cheated in 2020…” – Wrong again, Ed – Only you cultists “know” Democrats “cheated”.
Historians will one day marvel at how such ignorance of basic facts and belief in phony conspiracy theories came to influence so many. Thankfully, though someone so ignorant as you is no longer in office.
Skibum says
There it is, still cannot get over the big loss in 2020. Still pouting about it, making lunatic false assertions and spewing nonsense, and THAT is one of the most prominent reasons why so many of us here, even in this bright red county, kicked your sorry behind to the curb! And while your are yesterday’s garbage, the vaunted and relatable Diane Roberts is still kicking, and still speaking truth to power and insanity. And to that I say HAPPY NEW YEAR, Diane Roberts… may your reporting and sense of humor keep making us think, and smile, for years to come!
jackson says
And trump, in his complete and utter brilliance and love for our country, wanted this disaster of a human being to be the Attorney General of the United States of America.
If that doesn’t sum up everything about trump’s failings (and the failings of all conservatives), then I don’t know what would. Maybe January 6.
Laurel says
He screwed up vodka! How can he be expected to run the United States of America?
Wow.
Jim says
Ol’ Trumpy got elected for sure! And along with Donnie-boy, we got Matt Gaetz nominated for Attorney General. Just found out today the Congressional investigation of Matty-boy indicates he -allegedly – paid women for sex, took drugs and numerous other fine activities we all want our elected officials to participate! And he’s nominated RFK, Jr. to run the Department of Health and Human Services because ol’ RFK, Jr. wants to do away with the polio vaccine (for starters) and run that department based on anything and everything but science because Science is BAD!!! He’s nominated Donny Jr.’s ex-girlfriend (big lips, loud mouth) as ambassador to Greece because…(hell, I have no idea other than it’s a consolation prize since Cocaine Donny has moved on…). He’s nominated Hershel Walker to be ambassador to the Bahamas because (hell, again I have no idea…). And, well, even you might be getting the point by now.
You and yours keep harping on “perverted men in skirts need to stay the hell out of women’s bathrooms” because – God knows – there is so much evidence that is occurring that it should be the primary concern of all people (and let’s not let the fact that more kids and teachers are getting killed by guns than your “perverted men”).
And I love that you still harp on the Democrats “cheating in 2020” like you have any evidence to support that. But, of course, you, just like your Orange god wouldn’t recognize facts or reality if your life depended on it.
So, Eddy-boy, Merry Christmas from Flagler County and Palm Coast. Two groups that can celebrate with great joy that you ended your term on the council in disgrace and couldn’t even win your primary for the county commission. Most folks would look at your record and call you a true loser but you’re a Trumpy boy so you can’t deal with reality.
I’ll have an egg nog and celebrate your fall into oblivion. Happy New Year!!!!
Laurel says
To this day, facts and evidence have no merit to the Trumplicans.
It’s just amazing. Orange Moonies, who are all okay with Mafia style leadership.
YankeeExPat says
“Former” ………. go find some mistletoe and give Joe Mullins a goodbye kiss from the voters.
Feliz Navidad !
Whathehck? says
“We all know Democrats cheated in 2020” after 4 years you still have to proof in the pudding. Please name the frauds and I am not talking about fake electors.
Of course fine’s bill to lower the age limit to gun ownership is fantastic it will be easier for high schoolers to purchase weapons and bringing them to school. Do you and Fine think we have too many children and teachers?
Al Mesneck says
Trump won. The majority of Americans voted for him, despite you and the liberal media constantly attacking him and his supporters.
Steve says
Electoral College not majority popular vote FYI
Maria says
Trump won the Electoral College, the popular vote 49.9 to Harris 48.4, the House the Senate, won ALL 7 swing states and flipped six states to red. I would say that is pretty impressive considering the attacks and lies from the legacy media, political attacks from the DOJ oh and two attempts on his life!!!
Al Mesneck says
Wrong Steveo! Trump won popular! Anything else to say?
Sherry says
@al. . . trump being elected merely means that millions of immoral Americans have been so Fox brainwashed into a trump messiah cult that they voted to put a “Convicted Felon and Sexual Abuser” into a 4 year office. . . much to the disgrace of our entire country! If posting the “Factual TRUTH” hurts his feelings or yours, then so be it. Enjoy your delusions of morality. HO! HO! HO!
joe says
“The majority of Americans voted for him,…”
Maybe in your fantasies, Al — in the real world, only about 49% of those who voted voted for Trump.
Mothersworry says
Yup, you folks elected trump. Did you elect Musk as well? Look at the clown car that has pulled up with trumps appointments. It is like the Gong Show of old. Remember the saying, be careful of what you wish for as you might just get it.
Ed P says
The term “mean girls” now crosses gender lines? Who knew?
Guess the left is moderating in name calling….mean girls is better than bully.
Maybe the ice is melting.
Ed P says
Ford motor corp just announced a million dollar or more inauguration donation along with Zuckerberg ,Bezos, Robinhood Markets, Uber Technologies, Sam Altman, and even Bank of America and Goldman Sachs have committed to donating. Who’s next?
Even the most pessimistic can’t deny that it’s astounding.
Pierre Tristam says
What’s so astounding about servile bribery and pandering? It’s as old as Ulysses Grant. His administration’s corruption is getting outdone even before the lawless one’s even resumes.
Ed P says
Pierre,
You response brought to mind, apophenia.
Bribery + corruption + lawless ?
Maybe the “resistance “ is figuring out that it could be beneficial to be part of the movement?
If the incoming administration was Harris and Walz and I made a similar connection, at best I would have been called out.
These corporations nor the Trump administration are doing anything close to nefarious. Based on past inauguration expenses, it’s easy for the event to cost well over $100 -$200 million. These “donations” offset the tax payers burden.
If Presidential Inaugural committee raises 100% of the money, we should be happy.
Laurel says
By the way, the stock market went up 10 trillion dollars under President Biden.
Now, moron Trump is taking on the Panama Canal, along with Canada, Mexico and Europe. Well, maybe we can get by with only dealing with North Korea and Russia. Yeah, that ought to work.
Brilliant.
Bobby says
If Trump won why does he constantly have to talk about the past election that he lost to Biden. It has gotten so old to constantly hear out of his mouth.
And now he is going to spend most of his time getting revenge, costing that taxpayers more money out of their pockets while he continues to give the billionaires all the tax breaks and is doing nothing to help the American people.
So, yes Trump won this election but tell us what he is going to do to help the American people, NOTHING. He doesn’t care about the people in this country it is all about him and his billionaire friends.
Our country has just lost its freedom and democracy.
Oh, and now he is allowing a guy born in South Africa run our country for him, because he paid him off. All Trump cares about is getting paid money money money, that is his true God.
Robjr says
“Evangical Riddle”
“What do you call a Black POTUS married 25 yrs to 1 wife, with 2
children, no mistresses, affairs or scandals? The antichrist.”
“What do you call a racist white POTUS married thrice, with 5 kids
by 3 women, mistresses, affairs and scandals? Gods anoninted.”
jackson says
The Committee Found Representative Gaetz Violated State Laws Related to Sexual
Misconduct. Will the State of FL take action?
jake says
And still, Democrat heads exploding everywhere. Happy Holidays, it’s a Great Day in America.
Laurel says
And here’s the thing, Jake: I’m not a Republican, and I’m not a Democrat, but what I see is your happiness that others are unhappy. So, that to you is a “…Great Day in America.”
If heads are exploding, to your delight, it’s because they cannot wrap their heads around others voting for a man so foul, to lead the United States of America.
Ed P says
As the echo chamber becomes smaller it tends to trick the occupants as it grows louder.
The question is which echo chamber is shrinking?
Even the late night comedians are beginning to get it.
Laurel says
Ed P: Your fantasy that people are moving to the far right, and embracing felon, grifter Trump, is just that: a fantasy.
Ed P says
No one except you has said moving to far right. Twice now.
However, they are moderating as we debate.
Laurel says
Ed P: There is nothing moderate about MAGA.
Let me say it for the fourth time (that shit worked for Trump, so…). The current direction of the Republican Party is to the far right (and yes, there is some far left but it’s not comparable). I know Republicans, some reading right now, are not participating because they do not like Trump and the direction in which he is heading.
jake says
First I stated a fact, then I wished everyone a Happy Holiday, on Christmas. Everyday is a Great Day in America, as opposed to any day in other countries. You should seek medical help, or counseling, hatred is eating your soul.
Laurel says
Jake says: “And still, Democrat heads exploding everywhere. Happy Holidays, it’s a Great Day in America.”
Sherry says
The extremely mean spirited comments here from maga cult members clearly represents their own personal insecurities/lack of education/lack of intellect/fear and anger. Unfortunately, such weak minded, immoral people are easily indoctrinated into cults and terrorist organizations. Therefore, ruthless Rupert Merdoch’s media empire (Fox/NY Post etc.) has preyed upon millions with their 24/7 extreme right winged propaganda. As massive purveyors of conspiracy theories/misinformation/disinformation, the Murdoch media empire has planted the roots of paranoid fear and hate/white supremacy/anti-science/homophobia. . . you name it.
All the indoctrinated millions needed was a leader who shared their unhealthy insecurities/fear/hate. trump seized the moment in 2016, creating the maga cult.
Therefore, trump being elected merely means that millions of immoral Americans have been so Fox brainwashed into a trump messiah cult that they voted to put a “Convicted Felon and Sexual Abuser” into a 4 year office. . . much to the disgrace of our entire country! Full Stop! Nothing a cult member can say or do erases the FACTS of trump’s Criminal Conviction or Guilty Verdicts for Sexual Assault and Fraud!