Teen Body Shamed by Matt Gaetz Raises Abortion Fund Money

After being bullied and body shamed by a congressman most people would be upset, but 19-year-old activist Olivia Julianna took it in stride, even going so far as to send a thank you note. 

Florida Representative Matt Gaetz made a speech in which he said several misogynistic and fatphobic things, among them, “Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions? Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb.”

In response to the vile statements, Julianna took to Twitter, saying “Its come to my attention that Matt Gaetz—alleged pedophile—has said that it’s always the ‘odious.. 5’2 350 pound’ women that ‘nobody wants to impregnate’ who rally for abortion. I’m actually 5’11. 6’4 in heels. I wear them so the small men like you are reminded of your place.”

In retaliation, Gaetz took Julianna’s profile picture and reposted it to his page, captioned “Dander raised” which means to make someone angry. Julianna used the situation to promote the cause that got her involved in the exchange the first place: abortion rights.

As of July 27, Julianna had raised $168,000 from over 22,000 individuals for the Gen Z For Change Abortion Fund, which distributes money to abortion funds in all 50 states. After the donations had hit $50,000, Julianna sent a thank-you note to Gaetz in which she wrote, “Although your intentions were hateful, your public shaming of my appearance has done nothing but benefit me. I have gained a substantial amount of support across platforms, and now because of YOUR HATRED, I’ve also helped facilitate $50,000 in donations to abortion funds,” adding “Your hateful comments towards me will quite literally help pay for abortion services. Lol. Get rekt.”

In an interview with Newsweek, Julianna says Gaetz had learned, “a valuable lesson that should be echoed to every republican who thinks about crossing or targeting me—Don’t mess with Texas women. Time and time again, I’ve been targeted by hate mobs and right-wingers who think that because of my age that I won’t hit back. Unfortunately, they’re learning very quickly that not only do I hit back, but I hit back harder than they ever could.”