Politics and drama go hand in hand as Hollywood and drama do. As we enter the new year, the US Presidential election faces us as one of the biggest upcoming highlights. While many politicians are under scrutiny as the elections approach, their personal lives are also under a lens. Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn has been the center of controversy as he navigates through politics.
The politician got divorced in 2021 after 8 months of marriage, allegedly because of infidelity and sexual assault. He and his wife Christina officially announced the end of their marriage in December 2021.
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Why Did Congressman Madison Cawthorn Get Divorced?
The couple released a social media statement on December 22, wherein the Congressman said that the split was because of the demanding nature of his political duties. “That change has been both hectic and difficult, it’s neither the pace nor the lifestyle we had planned for,” he said.
At first glance, it may seem like just another divorce, but there’s much more to it. Right before the separation, Cawthorn faced serious allegations in February 2021 for misconduct and slut-shaming over 20 women during his college years.
While the claims were rife, his now ex-wife Cristina Bayardelle chose to marry him. The couple tied the knot in April 2021 and subsequently opened a breeding ground for discussions about his alleged predatory past. Some other controversies that plagued his image, like his 2020 Republican National Convention speech, only worsened the situation.
The story got another dramatic twist when Cawthorn became one of 11 GOP Representatives whose phone and social media records were subpoenaed by the January 6 committee. While he remained mired in these scandals, his wife seemingly found out about him cheating on her, which eventually led him to divorce her.
In their official statement, both Cawthorn and Cristina cited the challenges of congressional life and irreconcilable differences as the reasons for their split. But the unofficial rumors suggested infidelity. The Congressman has always remained tight-lipped about the allegations, with no comments whatsoever.
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Cawthorn Has A Bad History, But Did He Cheat On His Wife?
The allegations that the Congressman has under his name go back to his college days, including predatory behavior and misconduct. Though there has been no proof or even indications about him cheating on his wife, his history has made social media reach certain conclusions.
When the controversy was at its peak, Twitter was flooded by comments questioning his fidelity. Cawthorn’s persistent refusal to address the rumors did nothing but fuel the speculative fire. One user tweeted in response to a tweet by Cawthorn, “Divorced yet, you cheating liar? Jeez, even your wife can’t stand you.” Another replied with, “LOL he caught her cheating, didn’t he.” A third user directly asked, “Was he cheating on her?”
Some others even gave it a religious color. “Did you or your wife cheat? That’s the only reason to divorce otherwise it’s a sin in God’s eyes, Madison,” a user wrote. “Madison Cawthorn, as a Christian, surely knows that Jesus only allows divorce when a wife cheats on her husband or when a man beats his wife. Which was it, @RepCawthorn?” another asked.
Neither of the two has denied the infidelity claims, indicating that they might as well have some truth to them.
Amid the frenzy, Cristina once gave out a statement to Fox News, stating that transitioning into public life after the divorce has been a challenge, while the media limelight has made it worse. “The lifestyle shift into public life has been strenuous, and many aspects of the transition have been unexpected. I want to live in the world he creates, I just don’t want to be married to someone changing the world,” Christina said.
While the drama has now set off some steam, the allegations against the Congressman remain unaddressed, while his infidelity remains a question that has never been answered.
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