Speculation swirls about former Rep. Matt Gaetz's next career move

The ill-fated nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general in the incoming Trump Cabinet has led to an unexpected whirl of speculation as to where the outspoken conservative firebrand may land next.

Amid much discussion about what opportunities may await Gaetz -- either inside or outside the new administration -- the ex-lawmaker seems to be hinting at a potential run for governor in his home state of Florida, as the New York Post reports.

Withdrawal prompts speculation

It was on Thursday that Gaetz withdrew his name from contention for the job of attorney general amid growing resistance among key senators stemming from prior allegations of sexual misconduct and despite having already resigned his seat in Congress, as NBC News reported.

“It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz explained on X.

Trump responded to Gaetz's decision with a statement on Truth Social, saying, “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”

It was not long before commentators wondered whether Gaetz would simply seek to assume duties in the new Congress, as he had just won re-election to his former seat for another two-year term and had only resigned from his seat for the current term in which he was to serve until January.

“Still in the fight”

Soon, however, Gaetz answered that question by declaring that he had no plans to return to Congress, as NBC News noted separately, spurring additional questions about what the future might have in store for the controversial Trump ally.

“I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch,” Gaetz told conservative pundit and activist Charlie Kirk.

Gaetz added, “I'm 42 now, and I've got other goals in life that I'm eager to pursue -- my wife and my family -- and so I'm going to be fighting for President Trump. I'm going to be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have. But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.”

On Saturday, as the New York Post reports, Gaetz stirred further scuttlebutt about his future ambitions with a provocative post on X.

Responding to a post from former Florida state lawmaker Anthony Sabatini stating that Gaetz “will be the next Governor of the State of Florida,” the ex-congressman posted a GIF of the Sunshine State's flag, suggesting to many that the job is indeed on his radar, given that current Gov. Ron DeSantis is term-limited from a re-election bid.

Biding his time?

Though Gaetz's decision to walk away from Congress altogether same as a shock to some commentators and pundits, even more surprising to many was his decision to join the online celebrity-for-hire platform known as Cameo, as The Hill reported.

Offering users personalized greetings and messages at a premium price, Gaetz has followed in the footsteps of disgraced former Congressman George Santos, who joined the platform after his expulsion from the House.

Whether this is simply an income generating stopgap for Gaetz or a more permanent proposition for the former lawmaker, only time will tell.