Former Florida congressman and MAGA loyalist Matt Gaetz is heading to the conservative One America News Network to host his own talk show.
Donald Trump’s former pick to serve as attorney general will launch The Matt Gaetz Show as part of the network’s primetime lineup after withdrawing from serving in the incoming administration amid intense opposition of senators.
“OAN is forging its way into media, embracing not only traditional news, but also the platforms Americans turn to: streaming, apps, podcasts and social media,” Gaetz said in a statement.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join OAN’s forward-thinking team and be part of this revolutionary expansion,” he continued.
The one-hour political show will be broadcast five days a week from January.
Gaetz was nominated by the president-elect on Nov. 13 to serve as the top law enforcement official, a move that shocked even some of Trump’s own supporters.
The then-lawmaker was under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor and illegal drug use.
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz gets his own primetime show on the conservative One America News Network after withdrawing from Trump’s attorney general nominee amid opposition in the Senate
After being nominated, Gaetz immediately resigned from the House, throwing the House Ethics Committee report on the investigation into his conduct into limbo.
He was accused of paying two women more than $10,000 for sex and inquiring whether they were bringing “party favors” that were construed as drugs.
Gaetz was also investigated by the FBI for sex trafficking involving a minor, but the case was closed without charges being filed.
He denied all allegations except his appointment faced strong opposition from some Republican senators on Capitol Hill.
Some Republican lawmakers publicly criticized his nomination as not serious, while others said behind closed doors that they would not be able to support his nomination.
Gaetz withdrew as a candidate on November 21 after it “began to unduly become a distraction” for Trump’s transition team.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (L) walks with newly elected Vice President JD Vance (R) as they arrive for meetings with senators at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 20, a day before Gaetz withdrew his name as Trump’s attorney general.
Former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz (C) and wife Ginger Luckey Gaetz talk with another guest at the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on November 14, 2024 in Palm Beach, FL
The president-elect responded at the time that Gaetz “has a bright future,” but did not indicate where he might go.
It raised questions about whether he might join the new administration in a role that did not require Senate confirmation, or return to the House of Representatives with the incoming Congress having won re-election in November.
But Gaetz made it clear he would not return to Capitol Hill in the new year.
In addition to launching The Matt Gaetz Show on OAN, the former congressman will also co-host a weekly podcast with Dan Ball, host of “Real America with Dan Ball.”
Gaetz was first elected to Congress in 2016 and quickly became known as a disruptor and strong supporter of Trump.
The House of Representatives Ethics Committee met last week to discuss ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz awaits report on allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use. Republicans blocked Democrats’ efforts to make the report public
On the same day he withdrew as Trump’s nominee for attorney general, CNN confronted Gaetz with new accusations.
The network reported that a woman told the House Ethics Committee that as a 17-year-old high school student she had sex with the then-congresswoman twice at a party in 2017.
According to their report, the second alleged sexual encounter with Gaetz involved the teen and an adult woman.
Less than an hour after being asked for comment, Gaetz announced he was no longer considering his name, the network said.
Gaetz has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.
Last week, the House Ethics Committee met to discuss the fate of its report on the former congressman’s alleged misconduct.
Democrats on the committee tried to force a vote for the committee to release the ethics report, but those efforts were blocked by Republicans in the House of Representatives.