Insider also did not immediately receive a response to requests for comments from Wheeler or Smith.Ĭawthorn has recently been involved in a string of controversies. Insider was unable to independently verify the Venmo screenshots. "We see through it, RINOs," Cawthorn wrote, appearing to imply that the leaked information was a smear campaign against him by Republicans. The second tweet from Cawthorn highlighted by Cawthorn's spokesperson appeared to be a screenshot from the Epoch Times, highoighting what the publication called an establishment-driven "coordinated drip campaign." The first read: "Many of my colleagues would be nowhere near politics if they had grown up with a cell phone in their hands." The representative also directed Insider to two tweets posted by Cawthorn, saying it was the congressman's response to the matter. In a 2017 deposition, Cawthorn calls Smith his third cousin, "once removed," and notes that Smith was at the time working as a "hospitality professional" at Chick-fil-A, and living with him. Smith may indeed be Cawthorn's distant relative. "The PAC that filed the complaint did no research." "Stephen is his cousin - they're family," said the Cawthorn representative. Smith," Wheeler wrote in his complaint.Ī representative for Cawthorn called the complaint against Cawthorn "ridiculous." "The committee is requested to investigate whether any House Rules or statutes were violated by the relationship between Rep. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences.
It has also been retweeted over 6,000 times. Since its posting, the video has been viewed over 520,000 times and received over 10,000 likes. The video was shared late on Thursday by the Twitter account of, a super PAC dedicated to "protecting American democracy, defeating Trumpism, and holding Republicans accountable." The comment causes Cawthorn to burst out laughing, and the other man then films himself putting his hand on the lawmaker's groin. I'd like to see that as well," while turning the camera on himself. The man doing the filming then responds, saying, "Me too. "I feel the passion and desire, and would like to see a naked body beneath my hands," says Cawthorn in the video. The undated clip shows Cawthorn being filmed in a vehicle by another man. Madison Cawthorn being groped by a male associate. The payments made to the same male associate include labels like "the stuff we did in Amsterdam."Ī widely viewed video on Twitter appears to show North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn having his groin groped by a male associate.į also posted a screenshot of Venmo payments it said were made by Cawthorn. Chris Seward/AP PhotoĪ viral video appears to show Rep. Madison Cawthorn being groped by a male staffer is going viral on Twitter.