A video showing Rep. Madison Cawthorn appearing to be groped by one of his staffers has been making the rounds, and the whole thing reeks of homophobia.
The clip was featured among filings submitted to the Office of Congressional Ethics by the Fire Madison Cawthorn group, whose sole purpose is to, well, it’s in the name.
In the cellphone video, Cawthorn says, “I feel the passion and desire, and would like to see a naked body beneath my hands.”
Breaking: New leaked video shows GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn caught on video with male scheduler's hand on his crotch pic.twitter.com/Y8gtGMFdrw
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) April 28, 2022
The man recording, believed to be Cawthorns’ scheduler, Stephen Smith, responds “me too,” before placing his hand on Cawthorn’s crotch.
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Cawthorn has also provided Smith with unreturned loans and other gifts which were not declared, according to the filings. The group additionally submitted screenshots of what is believed to be Venmo payments between the two, with memos like “For loving me daily and nightly,” “Nudes,” and “The quickie at the airport.”
Here are Venmo messages between Cawthorn and the scheduler obtained by American Muckrakers PAC. One payment made by Cawthorn to Smith dated 6/17/18 reads, 'Getting naked for me in Sweden.' We talk more about the GOP Civil War on our podcast live at 8pm ET: https://t.co/XP10780RjC pic.twitter.com/gowpSLXLm8
— MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) April 28, 2022
While we certainly wouldn’t miss Cawthron’s brand of seditious, anti-LGBTQ politics in Congress, the behavior doesn’t seem all that different from how many straight guys in their 20s joke with their friends.
That sentiment was echoed on social media:
I fucking hate Madison Cawthorn, but I believe the GOP are purposely throwing him under the bus by leaking the video of a guy touching his crotch. They're using their base's hate for the LGBTQ community to take him down. This is not ok.
— Amy Lynn?? (@AmyLynnStL) April 29, 2022
IDGAF about Madison Cawthorn's proclivities (consenting adults, etc).
What infuriates me is the hypocrisy.
"Do as I say, not as I do".
That's what we should call out.— Anne C ?Love is Love? Keep on keepin' on! (@annedeuceofcups) April 29, 2022
The libs were right, nobody can stop them from saying gay! (pejoratively, at Madison Cawthorn)
— Karen, Esq. (@comradeflirty) April 29, 2022
it's really unfortunate that this will probably hurt Madison Cawthorn's electoral chances more than the lying or the racism or the sexual misconduct
— Sarah Jones (@onesarahjones) April 22, 2022
I don't care that Madison Cawthorn likes to wear lingerie in his free time. It doesn't bother me, and it doesn't affect me. If he wants to be playful with gender expression, it's his life.
I do care that Madison Cawthorn attacks trans people and shames us for living our lives.
— Charlotte Clymer ?? (@cmclymer) April 22, 2022
I don't care if Madison Cawthorn is a closet homosexual, too cowardly to admit who he is.
I do care that he is a fascist.
— Mark Romano (@Tactelller) April 29, 2022
Cawthorn appeared to address the cellphone footage in a tweet on Thursday.
“Many of my colleagues would be nowhere near politics if they had grown up with a cell phone in their hands,” he tweeted.
Many of my colleagues would be nowhere near politics if they had grown up with a cell phone in their hands.
— Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) April 28, 2022
Earlier this week, Cawthorn was cited for carrying a loaded gun at the airport and accused of insider trading by a GOP colleague.
Polaro
Sure seems like people don’t know the difference from the upper thigh and crotch. I don’t care about any of this. He can be as freaky as he likes.
I do mind that he is too stupid to be a congressman, and he is tool for traitors.
TomG
It seems that the biggest homophobes are the ones deepest in the closet.
inbama
First the lingerie photo, and now this.
He might make a cute bottom for a daddy with a handicap fetish.
prose
he’d be an excellent bottom – hopefully not too willing but eventually enthusiastic~!
AntiRepubliQueer
I don’t think anyone needs a handicap fetish to feel lust for someone as hot looking as Cawthorn! You do need to forget what a vile excuse for a human being he is. But that goes to his being out of the question for anything but sex. He’s not relationship material. Unfortunately, despite revolting behavior and huge character flaws, he’s one hot piece of eye candy, and his handicap certainly wouldn’t stop me.
DK
Madison Cawthorn looks like every average, generic white dude. What is this “super hot second coming of Paul Newman eye candy” hyperbole coming from?
Maybe explains why all these basic Instagays have tens of thousands of followers for looking…basic.
AZ71
I dislike Cawthorn with a passion but all this just seems like immature adolescent behavior. The texts are meant to be funny and I dont know about that vid. Cuts off quick. Seems like a joke. But yes..his behavior is deplorable and I certainly hope he doesn’t get past his primaries.
AntiRepubliQueer
Unfortunately he will win the GOP primary which automatically means he will be reelected. He’s from a solid red district.
[email protected]
As a gay rugby player and mountain climber (in my prime 6’2″, 240 lbs, 58″ chest, 30″ waist) I took great delight in propositioning my bigoted, anti gay, str8 “friends”.
Most ran away in fear but a few decided to try a roll in the hay. One led to an eight year affair that I will always remember with great fondness.
butchqueen
PULL MY HAIR, DADDY!!!
prose
Thats great! Good for you both!
monty clift
Glad something good came out of it for you. Thanks for sharing your story. ^^
Beachman
You can proposition this 6’4″, 235lbs, 46″ chest & 34″ waist, gay man any day of the year! And I will only run away from you if you are into that, otherwise, I am at your will.
Major
The GOP is obviously pissed that Madison spilled the baggy when he talked about the cocaine fueled Republican orgies so they are leaking these photos and such.
But… I also feel that they are using this as a distraction, so for them it’s a win/win.
cheekchecker
OK so he isn’t too smart to do his job in being a Senator, but he sure is nice too look @. I’d grab some of that If I could as well! : O )~~
Mack
He’s not a Senator, he’s member of the House of Representatives.
GrizzleyMichael
I hope he sanitize his hand
ryuichi
Oh No !! If he’s gay, I’m going to a conversion camp.
GlobeTrotter
I’m no fan of Madison Cawthorn and I deeply despise his politics, but I hope the things I did in my 20’s are never held against me. I’ve watched the video and seen the lingerie photos, and nothing I’ve seen convinces me that Madison Cawthorn is secretly gay. Young men in their 20’s, especially when alcohol’s involved, are NOTORIOUS for latent expressions of homosexuality. In college I saw more guy-on-guy action at drunk frat parties than in any Treasure Island video. My roommates used to run around naked flopping their schlongs and spreading their ass-cheeks invitingly on the bed. And that was when they were sober. Drunk horseplay was much, MUCH gayer!
Funny enough, my only roommate that shied away from the sausage festivities eventually came out as gay. All the others are now happily married with kids.
AntiRepubliQueer
You’ve managed to convince me to go back to college! I knew I should have moved into the dorm instead of commuting, but I had no idea just how much I had missed.
GlobeTrotter
@AntiRepubliQueer: Between my hunky roommate in my freshman year making every excuse to walk around naked (against my half-hearted and disingenuous objections of course!) and my drunk, straight-as-an-arrow, naked housemates simulating oral and deep penetrative anal sex in our off-campus apartment, I pretty much had a constant boner through college. One night my roommate invited his best friend over, who I had a major crush on, to smoke pot. They were naked in no time, horsing around on my bed trying out different gay sex positions. Did I mention they were hot and naked and drunk and high off their asses? All that rough, gay-themed horseplay got me so hot and horny, I had to run out to my car to jerk off. Then there were the naughty girls next door who used to invite me over for drunk, make-out sessions. All the boys and girls made out with each other, in each and every which way…
That was back in the 90’s – I doubt you can play around like that anymore without getting reported for sexual harassment. So yeah, you kinda missed out 😉
randile
This only brings to my mind former representative Aaron Schrock and his antics in public and then the contrast of him in private.
AntiRepubliQueer
Only Aaron Schock was really gay and Cawthorn is not. Schock decorated his Congressional office like Downton Abbey. Cawthorn has never even heard of Down Town Abbey (sic.) Cawthorn is a gun-worshipping, boot licking, fascist and a philistine. But they’re both SUPER hot!
DK
@AntiRepubliQueer
All it takes to be considered “SUPER” hot among basic American gays: be white and have a jawline.
Schock is a leathery roid mess past his sell-by, and Cawthorn is a generic Hitler Youth poster on wheels. Gays act like these dudes are the second coming of young Marlon Brando or Denzel Washington. I mean, lord, get a grip guys, have y’all ever seen actual super hot guys? Lol
tjack47
I don’t care what he does. I also didn’t see a thing that’s even remotely considered groping. I don’t think anything was touched but his jeans. Who cares about Venmo(anagram of venom) flirty messages? He’s got a loose light bulb in his floor lamp.
Bengali
Doubt anything works down there. Probably one of the many reasons his wife ain’t with him anymore. Am I mocking the disabled? I guess so. This guy gets away with everything including our taxpayer dollars. He’s not passed any legislation. He’s stirs the pot and that’s what they pay him for although his GOP criminal cohorts don’t like him; probably disliked at lice-eating Ted DAMN MY WIFE IS UGLY Cruz.
So the gloves come off when it comes to Madison. I’m sorry if anyone offended. My comments are directed at him. No one else. I hope his f-ing wheels fall off.
AntiRepubliQueer
I’d love to see his wheels fall off. Better yet, I’d love to see his pants come off!
Essie
I don’t care if he’s a closeted gay or just joking with a buddy. What I do care about is that this man is totally NUTS!! He has been caught twice with a loaded gun trying to get on an airplane. Why hasn’t he been arrested for this? He has also carried a loaded gun onto the floor of the senate. That’s illegal. He is dumb as a rock and twice as stupid. He doesn’t deserve to be and is too stupid to be a congressman. Get him out because of that, not because of some silly tape that should remain personal.
bachy
Thank you! Cawthorn is an IDIOT in a position of American leadership! Who GAF about his sexuality when he’s moronically leading the American public off a cliff? Someone PLEASE yank this NIMROD off the political stage!!!
GayEGO
Well which is it Maddy, a male or female naked body?
Jaquelope
It didn’t look anything like a grope to me because the hand didn’t even reach his crotch. Another three to six inches and a squeeze or two would be a grope.
And why was he driving? He’s supposedly not able to move his legs.
Den
Many, wheelchair bound folks drive. They have cars or vans modified to enable driving while in their wheelchairs. Obviously some cannot, but many can. An old neighbor of mine had a Mercedes modified so she could drive. And the owner of a nightclub near an old place of employ had a van he drove. Both were paralyzed from the waist down.
Diplomat
Well now. This puts a whole new spin on things.
It would be regrettable if he gets thrown under the bus. With all the mud wrestling in congress, which is what politics has been thoroughly reduced to, a pretty face like that with all is antics would be missed, if for no other reason than a mini break from the shtsho of constitutional war.
Joseph1971
You know they are joking, by acknowledging it will only encourage him in the future. He’s simply baiting the gay community, he just wants attention because he knows his career is coming to an end.
Wait? Isn’t his driver’s license suspended. What is he doing behind the wheel of a car, besides being an ass?
Mack
One site is reporting it’s his cousin,3 or 4 times removed, who is the staffer. Just family doing family.
BennyTheHill
Clearly, he’s too immature to be a congressman. His behavior is puerile and unbefitting a man in his position.
Den
We all know you support him. your politics are in perfect alignment, and both of you probably have equal admiration for the “Fuhrer”.
Why do you constantly lie about everything?
BennyTheHill
Sick Denny:
You’re the self-hating Jew here, not I.
The “Fuhrer” is your type of guy, not mine.
If you had been in the Warsaw Ghetto, you’d be a part of the Judenrat!!!
You’ve already aligned yourself with left-wing anti-Semites and anti-Zionists.
You’re pathetic!
spunkfunker
He spoke about family business outside of the family. Things like abortions, mistresses, love children, and boyfriends are to be kept secret. He ran his mouth so now he is getting the shaft. Though he probably loves that, so it’s a win win all around.
Bengali
Doubtful Maddie was “up” to it. Seems more like “grounded”.
johncp56
I would have to hear more about this very short clip, as yes a setup, or is real LOL a setup,,, I want to be crude, but no!; I,m not going to as I would like to know why he is broken,,
Robothedestroyer
That wasn’t gayz it was a couple of young straight guys acting dumb and being gay with each other because… Honestly I have no idea why young straight guys act so damn gay lol. I’m no fan but thank goodness he is no where near being on my team.
But if he does come out as gay, we can just give him to the lesbians.
Mike Hunt
Grrrrrrrl ……
humble charlie
Let’s hope that kook Madison takes a lot of politicians down with him. At least he’s not as creepy as Hastert.
I can’t wait until the Lindsey Graham-cracker photos and videos come out, lingerie and all.
Creamsicle
Ugh. I’ll pass on the, definitely out there photos, of Lady G in women’s wear eagerly awaiting for his latest rent boy.
Conspicuously fey and lifelong “bachelor.” Good lord, the self-hate. Even considering the amount of money he’s probably made off of (somehow) legal Congressional Insider Trading, I can’t imagine a sadder existence. No amount t of wealth and status is worth living life as a transparent closet case.
I’ll take my authenticity and honest work for a living, thank you.
Fname Optional Lname
So this is the straw that broke the camel toe?? Being gay was a step too far? Really? If he had an ounce of integrity he would stand up (no pun) and come out ,,, but with all the other things on his track record (no pun) it would still not be enough to get an ounce of respect from those who see him for who he truly is.
scotty
no surprises here. but LMFAO
hey maddie, it’s ok to be gay.
Creamsicle
Thos venmo payments only seem at all out of place if you’re completely out of touch with young men’s humor.
You’d need to practically be a dinosaur to see this as anything other than genuine, authentic playfulness (granted, between men shitty enough to work for the GOP).
I don’t like Cawthorn AT ALL, but this is the biggest nothing-burger. And tbh his lingerie photos were cute and humanizing as well. If he didn’t have this rigid gender role script and play into this QAnon alignment plan/Anita Bryant throwback with regards to the “grooming” narrative…well he’d be a completely different person and politician.