McCarthy reprimands Cawthorn, says he 'did not tell the truth' about orgy, cocaine claims

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy says he has reprimanded freshman GOP Rep. Madison Cawthorn for not telling the truth when he made claims earlier this month about receiving orgy invitations from fellow lawmakers and alleged the use of cocaine among his colleagues.

McCarthy, a California Republican, made the statement after meeting Wednesday with Cawthorn, of North Carolina.

He told reporters that Cawthorn's story changes with each retailing and that there was "no evidence" to support his claims.

The top House Republican also said Cawthorn's actions were "not becoming of a congressman."

"There’s a lot of different things that can happen. But I just told him he’s lost my trust. He’s going to have to earn it back. I mean, he’s got a lot of members very upset," said McCarthy, amid questions about whether the 26-year-old will be formally punished for his allegations, according to Politico.

In a podcast interview last week, Cawthorn described the "sexual perversion that goes on in Washington," suggesting that he had been invited to an orgy and seen lawmakers take "key bumps" of cocaine. 

Following the circulation of Cawthorn's comments, Republicans voiced extreme upset to House leadership on the issue. Members say they have been receiving questions from their constituents about the comments.

Cawthorn was elected in 2020 to represent his state's 11th district congressional district. He is a MAGA absolutist and has been one of the most vocal supporters of former President Trump's claims that the last election was stolen.

In the days leading up to Cawthorn's most recent round of controversial comments, the he was charged for the second time for driving with a revoked license.