After announcing he would not return to Congress, Matt Gaetz appears to be trying out a new career option: making personalized videos for his fans in a cameo role.
Gaetz, a former Florida congressman, joined the platform on Friday, a day after he withdrew his name from President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination for attorney general amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
There, he has given wishes for paid time off, congratulations on marriage, and words of encouragement for his career. As of Sunday night, Gaetz charges a minimum of $550 per video, and so far the average length is about a minute and a half.
His Cameo page reads, “I served in Congress,” alluding to his recent resignation and subsequent announcement that he would not seek a House seat again. “Trump nominated me to be attorney general of the United States (which didn’t work out). I once fired the Speaker of the House.”
The chair he “fired” alludes to a feud with Kevin McCarthy, who played a key role in ousting him last year when Gaetz forced a House vote that led to McCarthy’s ouster. .
A representative for Mr. Gates did not respond to a request for comment.
“While momentum has been strong, it is clear that my confirmation unfairly stands in the way of the important work of the Trump/Vance transition,” Gaetz wrote Thursday about X, announcing his candidacy for attorney general. announced their decision not to do so.
His chances of taking office have been overshadowed by several allegations of sexual misconduct, including an allegation that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old boy at a party in 2017. He was also investigated by the Justice Department – which he would have led had he been admitted – in connection with allegations of sex trafficking and sex acts with minors. Gaetz has vehemently denied the allegations of sexual misconduct, and the investigation ended without charges.
Gaetz’s resignation last week effectively ended the House Ethics Committee’s investigation into the allegations against him, which had been ongoing on and off since 2021.
From Capitol Hill to Cameo
Cameo, a celebrity video messaging app released in 2017, allows users to purchase custom shoutouts from celebrities participating in the app. Cameo fans typically request these videos for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations, with prices set by the celebrities themselves.
Despite facing financial difficulties in recent years, cameos remain a staple for some celebrities looking for an additional source of income. It has become an infamous marketplace for fan-requested videos from some of pop culture’s most dramatic and reviled figures, which can go viral when posted on social media platforms like TikTok and X. There are many.
In one video, Gates, a Republican, filmed himself congratulating a recipient on becoming a partner at his law firm, while acknowledging their political differences.
Hackers on Monday accessed files containing affidavits from two women involved in the Matt Gaetz investigation, according to people familiar with the matter.
“I know your politics and my politics may not particularly align, but our career trajectories may be neither. So you end up making a partner, and last week… , my law career took a slightly different direction,” Gates said. “But you know what? You can work hard, get paid a lot of money, and accomplish a lot of great things as a practitioner and a lawyer, but you never know, you can be a candidate for attorney general.” Maybe.”
Other videos show Gates thanking recipients for “supporting President Trump and all our efforts to save the country” and for “being there for MAGA.” . He also accused one recipient of “betting on things like Kamala Harris becoming president of the United States.” To do that, you have to develop better habits – bet on Trump. ”
Gates is following in the footsteps of other embattled politicians, including former Rep. George Santos, who moved to the pulpit after being expelled from the House late last year amid allegations of wire fraud and identity theft. There is. Earlier this year, Santos made her drag queen persona available on the app. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of felony fraud.
Also, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was removed from office and jailed on public corruption charges, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was indicted on charges of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Has a cameo appearance. In Georgia.
Mr. Giuliani has pleaded not guilty in the Georgia election interference case. He was also found guilty of defaming two Georgia election officials.
Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal crimes and served time in prison, is also actively working on the app. Other politicians making cameo appearances include former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, and Fox News commentator Tomi Lahren.
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