Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) won’t be sworn in as a member of the 119th Congress on Friday. This marks a striking turn for someone who once seemed destined for a long political career, bolstered by a landslide re-election victory that cemented his popularity in Florida’s 1st District. Throughout his political career, Gaetz was elected to Congress five times, beginning with his first victory in 2016 and continuing through 2024.
After resigning from Congress following President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of him as Attorney General, he has re-emerged in a role that few could have predicted.
As RedState's Teri Christoph reported in November:
It appears Gaetz didn't want to hold up the process and have President-elect Trump expend too much political capital before he was even sworn into office. Some have speculated that Gaetz withdrew over fears that a House Ethics Committee report on the now-former congressman would be released and would contain damning information.
Whatever the reason, it seemed that Matt Gaetz was now out of a job, having resigned his House seat to go all-in on nabbing the top spot at the Department of Justice. The question remained over whether he would officially rescind that resignation and be seated with the new Congress when it's sworn in on January 3, 2025.
Gaetz made it official on Friday: He's not going back to Congress. As he told Charlie Kirk, "I'm still gonna be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress."
That "damning" House ethics report did get released last week, and it contained allegations of sex, drugs, and rock and roll breaking House rules. However, the Justice Department investigated Gaetz and declined to bring criminal charges against him, while Gaetz denied the allegations.
But where is Gaetz now?
On Thursday, Gaetz debuted as the host of a new talk show on One America News Network (OANN), aptly titled "The Matt Gaetz Show." The show marks a dramatic shift in his career, as he transitions from the political arena to the media spotlight.
Tonight with @mattgaetz on The Matt Gaetz Show:
— One America News (@OANN) January 3, 2025
Watch here: https://t.co/Bgm0eOgOZi
Weeknights 9PM ET | 6PM PT
Colorado Congresswoman@laurenboebert
Kentucky Congressman@RepThomasMassie
Indiana Congresswoman @RepSpartz
Retired CIA Ops Officer@RealSamFaddis
Ret. Army… pic.twitter.com/UYmeLgwUsN
Instead of planning to cast his vote for House Speaker, Gaetz got the scoop on the leadership battle from Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO).
Appearing on Gaetz's inaugural episode, Boebert said:
"Mike Johnson coming out and committing to Chip Roy being the Chairman of the Rules Committee would secure the vote on the first round."
Tonight @laurenboebert tells @mattgaetz that:
— One America News (@OANN) January 3, 2025
"Mike Johnson coming out and committing to Chip Roy being the Chairman of the Rules Committee would secure the vote on the first round."
Click the link to watch tonight's episode at
9PM ET | 6PM PThttps://t.co/Bgm0eOgOZi pic.twitter.com/r3IlNTwMLi
Read More:
NEW: House Ethics Committee Releases Report on Matt Gaetz
'I'm Not Going Anywhere': Matt Gaetz Announces What's Next
In the end, Gaetz’s story serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in politics. From being nominated to be U.S. Attorney General to leaving Congress under a cloud of suspicion, his journey is one of both ambition and controversy. Whether his new role as a media personality will further his career or facilitate a fade into obscurity remains to be seen.
For now, though, his days in Congress are officially behind him.
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