Matt Gaetz Launches Podcast As Federal Criminal Investigation Looms
Topline
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on Thursday launched a podcast even as the Department of Justice investigates him, the latest example of the Florida Republican fulfilling his vow to remain outspoken despite the threat of federal charges.
DALTON, GA – MAY 27: U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks at an America First Rally also … [+]
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Key Facts
In the first, 50-minute episode of the podcast, Gaetz promises to make listeners the “smartest person in every political debate” by giving “details nobody else has and a strategy to use them,” vowing to savage even members of his own party.
Gaetz devotes first half of the broadcast to refuting sex trafficking allegations against himself, as well as claims that Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) is a Russian asset and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) ignored sexual misconduct allegations, followed by an interview with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has had several scandals in recent months.
Greene signaled plans to try to force a vote on repealing the House’s recently reimposed mask mandate, stating “we’re going to find out which Republicans will stand up to it,” with the two also questioning the need for young, healthy individuals to get vaccinated.
Much of the episode is also spent attacking Republicans, with Gaetz claiming some in the GOP are “too dogmatic or too corrupt” to support “good ideas” from the Democrats, and blasting some House GOP fundraising practices as a “total grift.”
A Department of Justice spokesperson declined to comment on the status of the Gaetz investigation.
Key Background
Little has leaked out about the probe in recent months despite salacious details coming out early on, including that investigators were looking at whether Gaetz paid for a 17-year-old to travel for sex and was bribed with a trip to the Bahamas by the marijuana industry.
Crucial Quote
“Hell no,” Greene said when asked by Gaetz if she would take her assignments on the Education & Labor and Banking Committees, which Democrats and some Republicans voted to strip from her in February. “I’m far more effective on the outside,” she explained.
What To Watch For
Despite having three venues cancel on them in California and raising underwhelming sums, Greene told Forbes she plans to continue doing the “America First” rallies with Gaetz because “we just believe in those policies.”
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