THe is the normal rule. Public embarrassment probably had no effect on Donald. Trump anymore But at least the expectation of good behavior remains for politicians in Trump’s orbit.
After a multi-year investigation by the House of Representatives Ethics Committee Today’s report Former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid “tens of thousands of dollars” to multiple women. Including one 17-year-old girl “for sex and/or drugs” at least 20 times, many of those allegations had been previously reported. But the specific details are often more shocking. And the report is heavy on those things.
“The committee received testimony that Victim A and Representative Gaetz had sex on two occasions during the party. including at least once in front of other party attendees,” the committee said. “Victim A recalled receiving $400 in cash from Representative Gaetz that evening. which she understood was payment for sexual services.” She had just graduated from middle school at the time.”
In summary, the committee said it had found evidence that Gaetz violated several council rules. “Prostitution is prohibited. Statutory rape illegal drug use Unauthorized gifts special rights or privileges and obstruction of parliament.”
I reached out to Gaetz’s former congressional aide for comment on this report. And they point to his long-standing denial of X, which is now pinned to the top of his profile. It’s full of disclaimers. “I have not been charged with anything: completely removed from office,” he wrote. “It is a shame. Even though it’s not illegal. But I might party act like a woman Drinking and smoking more than I should have at the beginning of my life.” Now I live a different life.”
That life was different from the life he had already carefully planned. One week after the November election. The 42-year-old Florida Republican was President Trump’s choice to lead the Justice Department. Gaetz quickly gave up his seat in Congress. This is to prevent widespread speculation in the publication of the Ethics Committee report. But the maneuver appeared to fail last month. pull out of sprint for the Attorney General and announced the launch of a show on the relatively small One America News Network. As one former Republican lawmaker from Florida who worked with Gaetz in the House (and who asked to remain anonymous) discussed the future of Gaetz’s former colleague, He said “It’s oblivion.”
A man who It is reported that he dreams of being The Florida governor is now dealing with his own politically unrelated reality. “He is now more distant than ever from the governor’s mansion,” said Peter Schorsch, a Florida publisher and former political consultant who has worked with Getz. Tell me. “GOP voters will not approve of the politics of P. Diddy of Florida.”
“matt Gaetz wins” I wrote in my MP profile in April. “He has become the heir to Trumpism. And he is ready to run for governor in a state of nearly 23 million people.”
Until recently, Gaetz used to be win in recent years He has become a MAGA folk hero for his commitment to posturing and provocation. Including being a trusted friend of Trump He was able to take revenge on his greatest enemy. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, among other things, Gaetz looked relieved: He had been released on damaging claims. after the Justice Department, which is investigating allegations of sex crimes against him The investigation was canceled in 2023, reportedly because Problems with the credibility of witnesses–
Already personally rich, Gaetz wanted only one thing: relevance. And his path ahead seems clear to everyone who has ever known him. At the end of 2025, he will run for governor of his home state. And with his relationship with Trump While he appears likely to win the GOP primary, Trump’s two-year tenure as head of the Justice Department could help Gaetz in that mission. His nomination was blocked, though. But he was able to campaign as a victim of the “deep state” and the GOP establishment.
But all of Gaetz’s plans fell apart after he began voting against publishing the report. The ethics committee used a second secret ballot earlier this month. by all five Democrats on the committee And two other Republicans chose to make the findings public. This morning, Gaetz filed an injunction with a House of Representatives committee to block their official release. He accused the committee of attempting to It is “unconstitutional” to exercise jurisdiction over private citizens. That last attempt failed.
After standing down from consideration as attorney general, Gaetz was fired by Newsmax, a television network owned by Trump ally Christopher Ruddy where Gaetz had previously been a guest. But with the unreleased ethics report still hanging over his head, Gaetz has instead accepted a role anchoring the show on OANN, a much smaller and less influential network. “If only it were much worse. He has to be accessible to the public,” Schorsch said. Some observers I spoke with expected Gaetz to move to San Diego. It’s home to OANN, which is nearly 3,000 miles from Trump’s White House, far enough away to be Mars as well.
Some in the MAGA world came to Gaetz’s defense: Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist; said today about him war room Podcast that the ethics report He called it “nothing big” and encouraged Gaetz to “go all out”. Harper Valley PTA” returning to Congress on January 3 to take the oath of office. Technically, that’s what Gaetz can do, since he was re-elected to the position in November. Bannon called OANN a “great little channel” but said Gaetz can do more than talk show host: “Mr. There are enough idiots like Tucker Carlson and myself yelling into microphones,” he said. “We need people in the arena.”
Gaetz contemplates a revenge plan that will force the other council members to join him. Revealing their sexual harassment settlement “He lashed out because he knew it was over,” a former Republican lawmaker from Florida told me.
Trump doesn’t seem eager to jump to Gaetz’s defense after Gaetz withdrew from the AG race. The president-elect posted on Truth Social the kind of statement you might read in your high school yearbook. From a casual acquaintance: “Matt has a great future. And I look forward to seeing them all. He will do great things!”
In two years, Gaetz may still be running for governor of Florida. But his chances of success are diminishing. Given the toxic accusations, “who knows” whether Gaetz will even try to run? A former Republican lawmaker messaged me, “This is not MAGA or America first. This is a disgrace.” Gaetz’s outburst may help Trump and his allies begin to more easily rally support behind the candidate in a crowded field. “I know the bar has been lowered for what is acceptable behavior for our politicians. But Florida voters will know that when they see such behavior,” Schorsch said.
Gaetz’s superpower is his ability to find a focus and stubbornly stay with it. But he’ll have a hard time accepting his ouster from the hot center of the MAGA world during the new Trump administration and adjusting to his new, fringe position at OANN Gaetz. It can design ways to make itself relevant again. By transforming yourself into a media personality with influence and reach. But at least now Gaetz’s winning streak is over.
