What Happened to Matt Gaetz's Face?!

Internet users are advising the Florida Congressman to lay off the Botox.

July 17, 2024

Image: U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), onstage at the 2024 RNC, wearing a suit, pointing at the crowd with his left index finger as if making a profound point, and sporting a bizarrely unnatural visage that small children and impressionable adults might find disturbing.

Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz's appearance at the Republican National Convention reportedly singed the eyeballs of some social media users. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

We’re $2,100 away from our summer campaign goal,
with just 5 days left!

We’re ready to deliver—but we need the resources to do it right. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today to help us expand our current events coverage when it’s needed most.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$3,900

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Florida U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz appears to have radically changed up his skincare routine leading up to his speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention on Wednesday.

If you enjoy this story, wait'll you hear what local plastic surgeon Dr. Miami has to say about "What the Hell Happened to Matt Gaetz's Face"!

No sooner had Gaetz stepped up to the podium than social media users had their eyeballs virtually seared by the Congressman's Everest-arched eyebrows and shiny orange glow.

"Why does Matt Gaetz look like a sleep paralysis demon?" asked one.

Why does Matt Gaetz look like a sleep paralysis demon? pic.twitter.com/sr7WjeA3Fw
— Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) July 18, 2024

Others feared the Republican representative may have overdone it on the dermal fillers. "Matt Gaetz (R-Botox)," wrote political journalist Peter Hamby:

Matt Gaetz (R-Botox)
— Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) July 17, 2024

Another viewer mistook Gaetz for a drag performer:

Matt Gaetz looks like he rushed from performing in a drag show to give his speech at the RNC 😩 pic.twitter.com/sU7z6nwQrr
— Brooklyn (@BrooklynBoyB) July 18, 2024

Comedian Rohita Kadambi took the next logical step, pointing out, "Using this much botox/filler is gender-affirming care, btw":

Using this much botox/filler is gender affirming care, btw pic.twitter.com/VNsAQPIWLN
— Rohita Kadambi (@RohitaKadambi) July 18, 2024

And for reference purposes, we have the quintessential Matt Gaetz before-and-after shots:

Matt Gaetz yesterday vs. Matt Gaetz today #RNCConvention pic.twitter.com/qWN6CPifsq
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 18, 2024

"I thought Wayne Newton looked great tonight!!" offered Sunny Isles resident and Florida Sen. Jason Pizzo:

I thought Wayne Newton looked great tonight!! pic.twitter.com/wism5BS1Jf
— Sen. Jason Pizzo (@senpizzo) July 18, 2024

Oh, and, "Yes, doctor, give me the comic book villain":

“Yes Dr, give me the comic book villain”💉 pic.twitter.com/3VvzZkTisi
— Kaylan_TX (@Kaylan_TX_) July 18, 2024

Naomi Feinstein is a staff writer of Miami New Times where she primarily focuses on news. Naomi started her career with New Times as a summer intern in 2019, then returned as a fellow in August 2022 before joining the staff full-time in February 2023. She graduated from University of Miami where she contributed to the student-run newspaper, the Miami Hurricane. She holds a master’s degree and graduated with honors from the Columbia School of Journalism. In 2021, Naomi was recognized as the College Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists of Florida, and she placed second for Best General News Story in the 2021 Pinnacle Awards.

A message from Naomi Feinstein: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today