Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz recently shared a note he received from President-elect Donald Trump amidst allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use during his time in Congress. The House Ethics Committee had found evidence against Gaetz, leading to a report accusing him of breaking state and federal laws.
The note from Trump, which Gaetz posted online, simply read, “Very Unfair!” This message comes in light of the House report released earlier in the day, which detailed allegations against Gaetz. The report claimed that Gaetz had paid large sums of money to women for sexual activities and drug use, including illegal substances like cocaine and ecstasy. It also alleged that he had engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl in 2017.
While the House Ethics Committee found Gaetz in violation of House Rules and other standards of conduct, it did not conclude that he had violated federal sex trafficking laws. The report was based on testimonies from witnesses who had attended events with Gaetz, including Joel Greenberg, who is currently serving a prison sentence for federal crimes, including sex trafficking.
Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has raised concerns about the credibility of the witnesses who spoke out against him. He expressed frustration that he had not been given the opportunity to confront his accusers or challenge their claims. Gaetz admitted to sending funds to women he had dated but insisted that he never engaged in sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18.
Following the controversy, Gaetz resigned from Congress in November after being nominated by Trump for the position of attorney general. However, he withdrew his bid for the post due to concerns surrounding the ongoing House investigation. The House Ethics Committee initially declined to release its findings but later reversed that decision, leading to the public disclosure of the report.
Despite the allegations and investigations, Gaetz remains steadfast in his denial of any criminal activity. He acknowledged past behaviors that he deemed embarrassing but emphasized that he now leads a different lifestyle. The unfolding saga between Gaetz, the House Ethics Committee, and the allegations against him continues to draw attention and scrutiny.
