PETALING JAYA, July 29 — A teenager used US congressman Matt Gaetz’s label of abortion-rights activists as too “ugly and overweight” to get pregnant to raise almost US$1.3 million (RM5.8 million) to fund abortions.
Gaetz had singled out 19-year-old activist Olivia Julianna by reposting her photo on Twitter, implying that she was among the ‘unattractive’ people he was referring to.
In response, Julianna began an abortion fund on Wednesday.
“I have struggled with eating disorders and body image issues my entire life, being hospitalised last December in part because of this,” said Juliana in a statement today.
“We have now turned hatred into healthcare, and people across the country will be able to get access to abortion services because of it.”
My statement about raising $1 million for abortion funds across the country in 72 hours pic.twitter.com/Jt13HZRUaT
Advertisement— Olivia Julianna (@0liviajulianna) July 29, 2022
At an event in Florida last Saturday, Gaetz had said: “Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions?”
Gaetz: "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." pic.twitter.com/0qqvun3Pf8
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 23, 2022
“Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb,” he continued.
“These people are odious from the inside out.
“They’re like 5’2″ (157 centimetres), 350 pounds (158 kilogrammes).”
The US Supreme Court in June overturned the constitutional right to abortion, causing several states in the country to ban or restrict access to the procedure.
Julianna tweeted her response to Gaetz, saying that she was 5’11 and wears heels so “small men like you are reminded of your place”.
Its come to my attention that Matt Gaetz — alleged pedophile— has said that it’s always the “odious.. 5’2 350 pound” women that “nobody wants to impregnate” who rally for abortion.I’m actually 5’11. 6’4 in heels. I wear them so the small men like you are reminded of your place
— Olivia Julianna (@0liviajulianna) July 24, 2022
She also referenced Gaetz’s ongoing scandal — the 40-year-old politician is currently being investigated for sex-trafficking and claims that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl in 2019.
Gaetz then fired back by sharing Julianna’s photo with the caption “Dander raised”, using the word ‘dander’ as slang for being angry.
Dander raised... https://t.co/3KkGN3fMdB pic.twitter.com/DX7SVf884X
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) July 25, 2022
“He just decided to go straight into body-shaming me,” Julianna said explaining her decision to set up the fund.
“So from there, I just started defending myself and thinking about how I can turn this situation into something positive that also could potentially do something good for the community.”
Julianna told Newsweek that she wanted to ‘thank’ Gaetz by gifting him a flower for every US$100,00 raised for the abortion fund.
She also expressed her gratitude on Twitter, by way of memes.
#ThanksMattGaetz pic.twitter.com/NPw1iWDEpp
— Olivia Julianna (@0liviajulianna) July 28, 2022
Meanwhile, Gaetz continues to draw criticism over allegations of his past misdeeds.
Aside from claims of paying a minor for sex, Insider reported that Gaetz has also been accused of coming up with ‘sex competitions’ while at the Florida statehouse, and sharing nudes of women he dated with fellow lawmakers.