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Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz was notably nominated by Donald Trump to serve as the new attorney general, but he ultimately opted to withdraw his name from the running. In a significant announcement made on November 13, 2024, via Truth Social, the president-elect praised Gaetz as a “deeply gifted and tenacious attorney” with a legal education from the prestigious William & Mary College of Law. However, just a week later, Gaetz rescinded his candidacy following the resurfacing of serious allegations related to sex trafficking, which had significant implications for his political future and reputation.

In prior investigations, Gaetz faced accusations of engaging in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl and allegedly facilitating her travel, as reported by The New York Times in March 2021. It is crucial to note that the legal age of sexual consent in Florida is 18. The Department of Justice promptly initiated an investigation to determine whether Gaetz had violated existing sex trafficking laws, which could have led to severe legal repercussions for him, showcasing the gravity of the allegations against him.

Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations against him, asserting his innocence in a public statement. He appeared on what Fox News’ Tucker Carlson referred to as his “weirdest interview ever,” where Gaetz claimed that the allegations were part of a larger campaign to extort him and his family. He detailed that, “Over the past several weeks my family and I have been victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million while threatening to smear my name… I demand the DOJ immediately release the tapes, made at their direction, which implicate their former colleague in crimes against me based on false allegations,” he argued vehemently, attempting to shift the narrative away from himself.

During the Tucker Carlson Tonight interview, Gaetz emphasized, “I have not had a relationship with a 17-year-old. That is totally false.” He further clarified the nature of the allegations, stating, “The allegation is, I read it in the New York Times, is that I’ve traveled with some 17-year-old in some relationship. That is false, and records will bear that out to be false. Providing for flights and hotel rooms for people that you’re dating who are of legal age is not a crime… People were talking about a minor and that there were pictures of me with child prostitutes. That’s obviously false. There will be no such pictures because no such thing happened.” His statements reflect his attempt to firmly distance himself from the allegations while maintaining his public persona.

Matt Gaetz vows to Tucker Carlson he didn’t “travel” with a 17-year-old, but his denial seems pretty specific and carefully worded pic.twitter.com/emGePJeVfV

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 31, 2021

Gaetz also alleged that his father, former president of the Florida state Senate Donald Gaetz, has been “wearing a wire at the FBI’s direction to catch these criminals.” In connection to the allegations, the former DOJ official named by Gaetz was attorney David McGee, who publicly denied any involvement in the investigation or any attempts to extort the Gaetz family when he spoke to The Washington Post. McGee confirmed that Donald Gaetz had indeed reached out to him for a discussion regarding a topic he chose not to disclose, adding further complexity to the ongoing saga surrounding Matt Gaetz.

When Gaetz first arrived in Congress in 2017, he quickly gained notoriety for boasting about his sexual exploits, according to multiple sources who spoke to CNN. These sources alleged that Gaetz displayed explicit photos and videos of naked women he had slept with, which he reportedly kept on his phone, to other lawmakers, including during official sessions on the House floor. Some sources, including two individuals who viewed the explicit content, claimed that Gaetz described his sexual encounters in detail, which contributed to his controversial reputation in Washington.

In a legal context, Gaetz could have faced charges under the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting individuals across state lines “with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, or in any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense.” The investigation into Gaetz’s conduct began in 2020 during President Trump’s administration. Gaetz responded to the allegations in an interview with Axios, asserting, “The allegations against me are as searing as they are false. I believe that there are people at the Department of Justice who are trying to criminalize my sexual conduct, you know when I was a single guy.” His comments reflect a defensive stance amid serious accusations that could undermine his political career.

Ultimately, the Department of Justice concluded its investigation without filing any charges against Gaetz, leaving his political future uncertain but allowing him to maintain his position within Congress amidst the swirling controversies.

Here’s what else you need to know about Gaetz:

Investigation into Allegations of Online Payments for Sex

Continuing the scrutiny surrounding Gaetz, the DOJ’s investigation reportedly focused on his alleged involvement with multiple women who were recruited online for sexual purposes in exchange for cash payments, as disclosed by The New York Times on April 1. Investigators believe that Joel Greenberg, a former tax collector from Florida indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in 2020, met these women through websites designed for individuals seeking dates in return for gifts and money. Sources indicated that Greenberg introduced the women to Gaetz, who allegedly engaged in sexual activities with them, although Gaetz has categorically denied ever paying a woman for sex.

The New York Times claimed to have reviewed financial records revealing Cash App and Apple Pay transactions showing money transferred from Gaetz and Greenberg to one of the women. They reported that Gaetz and Greenberg instructed the women to meet them at various hotels and locations throughout Florida during 2019 and 2020. One woman even recounted that Gaetz and Greenberg occasionally provided her with cash payments, raising serious concerns about potential misconduct.

Gaetz’s Controversial Claims About the Capitol Attack

In a contentious statement, Gaetz claimed that the individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, were not exclusively Trump supporters but included members of Antifa impersonating Trump supporters. He stated, “Some of the people who breached the Capitol today were not Trump supporters. They were masquerading as Trump supporters and in fact, were members of the violent terrorist group Antifa,” which was met with boos during his speech on the House floor the following morning. Additionally, Gaetz received backlash on Twitter for “glorifying violence” following an inflammatory tweet he posted on June 1, 2020, amid nationwide protests against police brutality, declaring, “Now that we clearly see Antifa as terrorists, can we hunt them down like we do those in the Middle East?”

Since 2016, Gaetz has represented Florida’s 1st congressional district and has been reelected twice. He is a prominent member of the House Freedom Caucus and serves on several committees, including the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on the Budget. Despite the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his legal challenges, he has not faced removal from any congressional committees, indicating a continued presence and influence in the political landscape.

Opposition to Human Trafficking Legislation Raises Eyebrows

In a surprising move, Gaetz was the sole representative who voted “no” on the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act in 2017, a bill designed to allocate additional resources to fight human trafficking in the United States. Gaetz expressed his opposition during a Facebook Live session, arguing that he perceived the bill as “mission creep” for the federal government. He stated, “Unless there is an overwhelming, compelling reason that our existing agencies in the federal government can’t handle that problem, I vote no because voters in Northwest Florida did not send me to Washington to go and create more federal government,” a stance that raised eyebrows given the nature of the allegations he faced.

Unwavering Loyalty to Donald Trump Throughout His Presidency

Gaetz has notably distanced himself from many of his congressional colleagues due to his unwavering support for Donald Trump. Throughout Trump’s presidency, Gaetz frequently appeared on Fox News and OAN, echoing Trump’s rhetoric. When Trump infamously referred to Haiti as a “sh*thole country” in 2018, Gaetz defended him by tweeting, “The conditions in Haiti are deplorable, they are disgusting. I mean, everywhere you look in Haiti, it’s sheet metal and garbage.” His loyalty to Trump was so profound that he expressed willingness to resign his House seat to represent Trump during his second impeachment trial if asked to join his legal team, showcasing his commitment to the former president.

Unexpected Support for Britney Spears and the #FreeBritney Movement

Britney Spears found an unlikely ally in Gaetz when he requested in March that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) conduct a televised inquiry into the due process of conservatorships, specifically highlighting the case of the pop star. In his correspondence, Gaetz raised numerous issues highlighted in the documentary Framing Britney Spears, particularly regarding the manner in which her father obtained and maintained control over Britney’s life through the conservatorship arrangement.

He stated, “The facts and circumstances giving rise to this arrangement remain in dispute but involve questionable motives and legal tactics by her father and now-conservator, Jamie Spears.” Furthermore, Gaetz later tweeted on March 9 that “I think @britneyspears would be a great witness in the House Judiciary Committee. She would likely have a lot to say on conservatorships. #FreeBritney,” highlighting his unexpected involvement in a movement that resonated with many fans and advocates for Spears’ autonomy.