Rep. Matt Gaetz defended his tweet directed at Michael Cohen, saying it should not be perceived as a threat https://t.co/aYIcGo5zvO pic.twitter.com/YX5q6fkJnW — CBS News (@CBSNews) February 26, 2019

Congressman Matt Gaetz claimed to reporters today his tweet threatening Michael Cohen was “absolutely not” a threat.

“Hey @MichaelCohen212 – Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends?” the Florida Republican tweeted. “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…”

Hey @MichaelCohen212 – 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… — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 26, 2019

Gaetz subsequently claimed to reporters that it was “witness testing, not witness tampering.”

“And when witnesses come before Congress,” he continued, “their truthfulness and veracity are in question and we have the opportunity to test them.”

Gaetz was directly asked to explain his tweet and he just said it speaks for itself, blasting Cohen as a liar and saying “now we’re going to find out if Michael Cohen lies to his own family.”

[image via screengrab]

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]