By If you can’t beat them, join them. That’s Matt Gaetz’s plan. The former Florida congressman is reportedly set to become an anchor for the conservative One America News Network (OAN), according to a report from CNN. This career shift comes on the heels of Gaetz’s announcement that he will not seek reelection to Congress next year after resigning his seat in order to receive the ill-fated nomination for attorney general.
“I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch,” Gaetz shared last month during an interview with conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Gaetz’s departure marks the conclusion of a tumultuous tenure on Capitol Hill, highlighted by his instrumental role in the historic removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
FL-01 is very special. @JimmyPatronis wanting to serve you proves it!
Thanks for giving me the honor of my life to represent you all these years.
I’ll still be in the fight – just from a new perch 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cy7ksm9dLj
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 9, 2024
Gaetz recently removed himself from consideration for U.S. Attorney General, citing insufficient Senate support despite being initially floated as a potential nominee by President-elect Donald Trump. His decision coincides with ongoing scrutiny, including a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and other claims, all of which Gaetz has denied.
While OAN President Charles Herring declined to comment on Gaetz’s hiring, the addition of a prominent and controversial figure like Gaetz could elevate the network’s profile. Gaetz’s deeply conservative views and high-profile political battles align closely with OAN’s brand as a staunchly pro-Trump platform.
Despite his departure from politics, Gaetz has embraced other ways of staying connected with his base. On Cameo, a platform for personalized video messages, he touts his accomplishments, stating in his profile: “I served in Congress. Trump nominated me to be US Attorney General (that didn’t work out). Once I fired the House Speaker.”
Gaetz’s new role at OAN ensures he remains a fixture in the conservative media landscape, cementing his status as a divisive and influential figure. By transitioning from legislator to media personality, Gaetz continues to shape the national conversation from a new vantage point.
Not all that long ago, on Oct. 3, 2023, then-Rep. Matt Gaetz succeeded in his audacious plan to lead a tiny group of Republicans, eight in all, working in an alliance with 208 Democrats, to topple Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. Today, one year and two months later, Gaetz is out of Congress, out of a job, and has reportedly signed with a small television news outlet, One America News Network, to host a prime-time program.
At age 42, Gaetz will certainly have more acts in his life. But it seems safe to say his effort to bring down the Republican Party in the House did not end well. When President-elect Donald Trump stunned many observers by nominating Gaetz to be attorney general, Gaetz’s past of attacking and undermining his own party came back at him fast — and that was before discussion of a long House Ethics Committee investigation concerning allegations against Gaetz.
Byron York at The Washington Examiner noted that another effort was made this week to make the Ethics Committee’s investigative report public. It failed because Republicans stopped it. However, all those Democrats who allied with Gaetz a year ago to bring down McCarthy turned around and voted to release the report. They were happy to make common cause with Gaetz to harm the House GOP. Now, they’re happy to kick Gaetz even after he is out the door.
Eight days after he was nominated, Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. He did so after a conversation with Trump, who knew that Gaetz did not have the votes in the Senate for confirmation. Gaetz then hinted that something new was coming, and that something turned out to be the One America News Network position. Some of his fellow House members always thought that, more than anything, Gaetz wanted to be on television, and now his dream has been fulfilled.
“The Matt Gaetz Show,” is scheduled to air in the coveted time slot of 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern every weeknight. With Gaetz rounding out OAN’s prime-time lineup.
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