Former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, recently shared insights about his political future during his speech at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on Sunday. Last month, Gaetz stepped down from his position in the House after being nominated to serve as President-elect Trump’s attorney general. However, he withdrew his name from consideration when several Republican senators chose not to support him, as reported by various Capitol Hill insiders and members of the Trump transition team.
Gaetz’s departure from Congress has sparked widespread speculation about his next steps in politics. Addressing this curiosity at AmericaFest, he said to the gathered conservative activists and lawmakers: “You’ve asked which perch I will be fighting from next. And some of you throughout this conference have even given me a few suggestions.” His remarks were met with anticipation as he hinted at potentially running for governor of Florida once Ron DeSantis completes his term in 2026—a possibility he has previously alluded to.
If ya can’t beat ‘em.
Join them? pic.twitter.com/doQV10nqYE
— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) December 22, 2024
The idea of Gaetz serving as a special counsel appointed by a Trump-led Department of Justice to investigate government corruption was also discussed among supporters. Reflecting on his Senate support shortfall, Gaetz humorously suggested the possibility of running for Marco Rubio’s Senate seat if it becomes available, eliciting cheers from the audience.
🚨BREAKING: Matt Gaetz says he might run for Senate in Florida.
https://t.co/fuiyzpuwr2— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 22, 2024
While contemplating these political ambitions, Gaetz is set to host a primetime show with One America News (OAN), a conservative media outlet based in San Diego. Alongside Dan Ball, host of “Real America with Dan Ball,” Gaetz will co-host a video podcast aimed at engaging Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X audiences through candid discussions. Ball expressed enthusiasm for their collaboration: “We’ve been big fans of Matt Gaetz from day one. We admire his leadership and authenticity, and we’re confident he’ll really connect with our viewers.”
For now, Gaetz seems content embracing the role of an engaged citizen rather than holding public office. He quoted James Madison during his speech: “For the moment I’ll enjoy being one of you… because we put such an obligation on the citizenry to ignite the patriotism that the country needs.” This perspective underscores Gaetz’s commitment to grassroots involvement while exploring new avenues within media and potential future political endeavors.