United States Congressman Brian Mast is facing backlash and apologizing after some inappropriate comments he made on social media about underage girls and rape.
The posts the Florida Republican made included a comment under his current campaign manager’s, Rocco LeDonni, Facebook photo, taken in South Africa in 2009. Mast commented, “im so proud of you... i hope you hook up with at least fifteen 15 year olds over there.... its legel there right.”
Also, in a 2011 Facebook post, LeDonni said, “Anyone have any good pick up lines for this weekend considering according to the crazy christian radio guy the world may end on sunday?” and Mast replied, “How about don’t turn this rape into a murder.”
Mast called the comments “inappropriate jokes” that he regrets saying.
"A decade ago when I was in the Army, and following my injury, I made disgusting and inappropriate jokes that I am embarrassed to have associated with my name today," Mast said in a statement on Tuesday (August 25). "I am sorry about that part of who I was, and I strive every day to be a better example for my kids," he added.
In 2010, Mast lost both of his legs and a finger while serving in Afghanistan. One source, familiar with Mast’s condition at the time, mentioned while Mast was recovering between 2010 and 2012, that he underwent many surgeries and was prescribed heavy medications that could have factored into his posts.
“As a result, he was regularly on morphine, oxycodone, sleep sedatives, anti-inflammatories, and anti-depressants. I bring this up only to say that his memories of this time in his life are inconsistent. His recovery, and the similarly timed birth of his first child, was a life-changing event for him both personally and professionally,” according to the source.
Mast’s former campaign consultant, Jacob Perry, denounced the congressman after the exposure of the social media posts.
“These comments are vile, disgusting, and inexcusable and it makes me regret my prior association with anyone who would speak about young women in such a way. There are no excuses and you can’t use your injuries as a shield this time,” he wrote in a Facebook post obtained by The Hill.
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