safety
Kevin McCarthy claims with a straight face that the GOP walks away from "bad candidates"
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· July 7, 2026
· 2 min read
Amid calls for Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out of the race after a sexual assault allegation, one Republican's take on the matter has sent social media into a frenzy. During an appearance on Fox News, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) declared, "The one thing I
Key takeaway But Gaetz won a fifth term in 2024 before choosing to resign after the president nominated him for Attorney General, a role from which he later withdrew his own candidacy.
Why this matters
Kevin McCarthy's claim that the GOP walks away from "bad candidates" is at odds with the party's history of supporting controversial figures, including Donald Trump, who has faced multiple sexual assault allegations and has been linked to Jeffrey Epstein. This discrepancy highlights the complexities of the party's stance on issues of safety and accountability, particularly when it comes to allegations of misconduct. The fact that McCarthy used Matt Gaetz as an example, despite Gaetz winning a fifth term before resigning, further underscores the disconnect between the party's rhetoric and actions. As the national conversation around safety and accountability continues, the GOP's approach to these issues will likely face scrutiny, particularly in the context of varying legal protections and policies across states. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other organizations may play a key role in monitoring and responding to these developments, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Amid calls for Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out of the race after a sexual assault allegation, one Republican's take on the matter has sent social media into a frenzy. During an appearance on Fox News, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) declared, "The one thing I
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .