Former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz's abrupt departure from Congress leads to an unexpected career shift in conservative media.
According to Rolling Stone, the controversial former congressman has secured a prime-time hosting position at One America News (OAN), with his eponymous show set to debut in January 2024.
The announcement comes after Gaetz's brief consideration for Trump's attorney general position, which he ultimately withdrew from amid ongoing allegations of sexual abuse. His new show, "The Matt Gaetz Show," will air on weeknights at 9 p.m. ET, marking a significant transition from his political career to media personality.
OAN's decision to bring Gaetz aboard aligns with their continued positioning as a Trump-friendly alternative to Fox News. The network has faced significant challenges in recent years, including their removal from DirectTV's channel lineup in 2022 and an ongoing $1.6 billion lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems. Their latest programming decision demonstrates a commitment to maintaining their pro-Trump stance.
In their official announcement, OAN highlighted Matt Gaetz's qualifications as their newest host. The network confirmed that Gaetz would join their prime-time lineup starting in January.
Gaetz shared his excitement about the role, describing it as an opportunity to collaborate with OAN's innovative team and contribute to what he called a significant step forward for the network.
Despite his transition to media, Gaetz appears to maintain political ambitions. Recent developments suggest he may be positioning himself for a future gubernatorial run in Florida when Governor Ron DeSantis' term expires in two years. The creation of the Florida Firebrand PAC, reportedly connected to Gaetz's existing campaign network, indicates potential preparations for future political endeavors.
The timing of Gaetz's resignation from Congress coincided with the pending release of a House Ethics Committee report investigating allegations of his involvement with an underage girl and alleged participation in Florida political "sex parties." These unresolved allegations contributed to his decision to withdraw from consideration for the Trump administration position.
OAN's recruitment of Gaetz follows the network's pattern of embracing controversial figures aligned with Trump's political ideology. The network previously gained prominence during the 2020 election aftermath, experiencing increased viewership when it supported Trump's election fraud claims. This led to legal challenges, including the ongoing Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit, similar to the one that resulted in Fox News' $787.5 million settlement.
The network has faced its own legal battles, including an unsuccessful lawsuit against DirectTV after being dropped from their programming. OAN's attempt to characterize the removal as part of a coordinated political scheme was dismissed in June 2023.
These developments have not deterred the network from pursuing high-profile conservative personalities like Gaetz, who brings both political experience and controversy to their prime-time lineup.
Matt Gaetz's transition from congressman to prime-time host at One America News represents a significant shift in his career trajectory. Following his departure from Congress and withdrawal from Trump's attorney general consideration, he has secured a nightly television platform at 9 p.m. ET starting January 2024.
While embracing his new role in conservative media, Gaetz maintains potential political aspirations, particularly in Florida's gubernatorial landscape. His move to OAN comes amid unresolved ethics investigations and occurs as the network continues to position itself as a staunch pro-Trump media outlet despite ongoing legal and business challenges.
