Hollywood actor Ron Perlman and Republican representative for Florida’s 1st congressional district Matt Gaetz threw digital punches at one-another on Sunday after Pearlman slammed the congressman for criticizing U.S Soccer’s decision to repeal the policy requiring players to stand during the national anthem.
The decision came as the NFL also made a similar call to allow kneeling during the national anthem, sparking outrage from Republicans, including President Donald Trump, but to the relief of many ‘taking a knee’ to show solidarity with protesters calling for an end to police brutality.
The US Soccer Board voted earlier this week to repeal the policy that was introduced in 2016 when women’s soccer icon Megan Rapinoe keeled in solidarity with ex-NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started taking the knee during the anthem to protest against racial injustice in the US.
Ron Perlman, pictured April 11 2019, is known for playing Clarence ‘Clay’ Morrow in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and for his portrayal and voice of ‘Hellboy’
Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, pictured February 27 2020, is known has an ardent Trump supporter in Congress
‘I’d rather the US not have a soccer team than have a soccer team that won’t stand for the National Anthem,’ Gaetz tweeted. ‘You shouldn’t get to play under our flag as our national team if you won’t stand when it is raised.’
His tweet resulted in thousands of responses from his followers and others who saw his message, one of whom was Ron Perlman, who is known for playing Clarence ‘Clay’ Morrow in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and for his portrayal and voice of ‘Hellboy’.
‘The US Soccer team called and you guessed it… said they couldn’t give any less of a f**k about what you two dipsh**s think,’ Perlman wrote, tagging both Gaetz and President Trump in his reply, sparking the beginning of what would become a widely watched Twitter feud on Sunday.
Megan Rapinoe kneels during the National Anthem prior to the match between the United States and the Netherlands at Georgia Dome on September 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia
‘This racial justice warrior had no problem in Hollywood portraying the White Supremacist leader of a motorcycle gang. #SOA,’ presumably referring to Perlman’s portrayal of Clay in the fictional television series, ‘Sons of Anarchy’ (SOA).
‘Yessir, so true!’ Perlman quickly fired back on Twitter. ‘So rewarding playing a**holes on tv. Tell me sir, how is it actually being one?’ to which Gaetz responded saying that he considered being considered a bad person by those in Hollywood as a badge of honor.
‘Honestly? The fact that Hollywood thinks I’m an a**hole is a badge of honor,’ he wrote. ‘You wouldn’t be tweeting about me if my message weren’t true & effective. Threatens your wokeness. How triggered will you be when [Donald Trump] is re-elected? More or less than when crooked lost?’ presumably referring to Hillary Clinton.
In a pair of tweets, Perlman hit back again. ‘Speaking of Woke Matty, do you think it’s just Hollywood that thinks you’re an a**hole?’ Perlman replied in a pair of tweets. ‘Read the comments, I’ll wait… And while we’re at it f**kboi, what is this s**t about playing your crowd with dog whistles like ‘Hollywood,’ making them think culture is the thing that’s keeping them down? When it’s really you and your greed.’
In response, Gaetz again implied Perlman had been ‘triggered’, sarcastically writing: ‘I can see I was way off [with] the “triggered” analysis…’ before adding ‘Dude I represent a district of 700k that elected me w about two-thirds of the vote the last 3x I’ve been on a ballot.
‘Blue check marks don’t scare me anymore than your fictional white supremacy motorcycle gang. Leave the tough guy comments for those of us who face the voters.’
Colin Kaepernick (center) with two teammates from the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest on the sideline, during the anthem, prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Orchard Park, New York
That wasn’t enough to keep Perlman down, though, who took aim at Gaetz’s route into government. ‘Ya know what, you’re right. A guy who wins a totally gerrymandered district with daddy’s money deserves our deepest admiration,’ he wrote. ‘You’re right..I only PLAY scumbags and grifters. You’re the real deal!’
‘Gerrymandered district?’ Gaetz retorted. ‘The western and northern borders of my district are Alabama. The southern boundary is the Gulf of Mexico. It’s literally impossible to gerrymander. Try again.’
That wasn’t the end of it though. Perlman continued, writing: ‘Try again? Dude, you brought a Holocaust denier to the State Of The Union. Doesn’t get sicker than that. Buzz off punk, it’s past your bedtime.’
Trump Tweeted saying that he would not be watching the US Soccer team any more after US Soccer voted to allow kneeling during the national anthem
Perlman then tweeted a picture of Republican Representative Jim Jordan, who also expressed outrage at the US Soccer team’s decision, with the accompanying tweet: ‘PS: You’re lucky for this guy Matt. If it weren’t for him you’d be the ugliest politician walking.’
This appeared to be the end of the argument between Gaetz, but Texas Senator Ted Cruz weighed in, offering to bet $10,000 that Jim Jordan could beat Perlman in the wrestling ring.
‘Tell you what teddy boy, since mentioning jim jordan and wrestling is… problematic, why don’t we say f**k him and just make it you & me,’ Perlman tweeted. ‘I’ll give 50k to Black Lives Matter and you can keep all the tax payer money you were thinking of spending.’
