Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Pensacola, made an appearance at the American Priority Conference at Trump National Doral in Miami last week where a violent video edited to show President Donald Trump carrying out a massacre of members of the news media and his political opponents was shown.

Gaetz, who was a speaker at the conference, told the News Journal he hasn't seen the video.

"I didn't attend any sessions other than the time allotted to me for remarks," Gaetz said in a text message to the News Journal.

Other headliners to speak at the conference included Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump Jr.

The video has drawn condemnation from the depicted victims in the video since the New York Times reported the existence of the video on Sunday.

An organizer for the conference confirmed that the video was shown but denounced its showing as part of a "meme exhibit" with content submitted by third parties, according to The New York Times. "This matter is under review," said the organizer Alex Phillips.

Phillips also said on the conference's website it was "shocking" that the Times did not report on other portions of the conference, "Including our panel conversation LITERALLY condemning political violence while claiming to be upset over a meme that was not sanctioned, shown on stage, or approved."

White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said Monday morning that the president has not yet viewed the video, but condemns its contents based on reports. She said he will see it shortly. Trump has not directly responded.

The video is an edited scene from the film "Kingsman: The Secret Service," that replaces actor Colin Firth's face with Trumps as he enters a "Church of Fake News" and begins shooting members of the congregation.

The churchgoers have various news organizations' logos or the faces of Democratic lawmakers and other critics superimposed onto their bodies

Trump's character shoots, stabs and sets fire to the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama, among others.

Gaetz said political criticism should never become violent.

"I have many close friends who work in media," Gaetz said. "My sister worked in media. The mainstream media often deserves criticism and mockery, but nobody should be physically harmed based on their political viewpoint, no matter how biased or corrupt."

Jeanine Santucci of the USA TODAY Network contributed to this report.

Jim Little can be reached at jwlittle@pnj.com and 850-208-9827.