Report: Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz considering taking a job at Newsmax

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PENSACOLA, Florida – Rep. Matt Gaetz is reportedly considering taking a job in the media industry, possibly at the conservative outlet Newsmax, according to a report from Axios. 

First elected in 2016, Gaetz made waves as a freshman congressman making frequent television appearances, often to defend the policies of then-President Donald Trump.

Gaetz quickly became a popular guest on several cable news opinion shows as he also attracted his own controversies. 

Axios reported Tuesday that “three sources with direct knowledge” said he was considering leaving Congress for a job at Newsmax. 

Speaking at a town hall event on Monday in Niceville, Gaetz said he would not spend his entire life in Congress.

Congressman Matt Gaetz speaks during an outdoor town hall style meeting at the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Building in Niceville.

 (Photo: Michael Snyder, The Northwest Florida Daily News-USA TODAY NETWORK)

“I’m not going to be a lifer in this job,” said Gaetz, now in his fifth year in office. “I will not be here decades. I think four years to eight years sounds about right. I may not stay eight years. Six years has a good ring to it. I hope you’re not disappointed in me if I don’t stay more than a decade.” 

In 2020, Gaetz announced he would no longer take donations from political action committees, which most members of Congress rely on to fund campaigns.

Gaetz was able to make the pledge largely because he was able to finance his campaign from individual donations fueled by his numerous cable appearances and social media presence. Gaetz’s frequent television appearances and his decision to swear off PAC money was a key focus of the 2020 HBO documentary film “The Swamp.”

Gaetz also came under fire last year for having his office spend taxpayer funds to rent equipment for a TV studio at his father’s home in Niceville.

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Newsmax has been on the air since 2014 as an ultra-conservative competitor to Fox News. The network rose in popularity following the 2020 election and Fox News correctly calling Arizona for now-President Joe Biden, while Newsmax featured guests who promoted conspiracy theories about the election. The network ultimately released a “clarification” in December that there was no evidence of manipulation in the 2020 election.

Gaetz’s office did respond immediately to a request for comment Tuesday.

If Gaetz did take a job at Newsmax, he would be the second congressman from Northwest Florida who found a second career in cable. Former Rep. Joe Scarborough is now more well known for his MSNBC show “Morning Joe” than his career in Congress from the seat that Gaetz occupies.

USA TODAY Network reporter Tom McLaughlin contributed to this report.

Jim Little can be reached at jwlittle@pnj.com and 850-208-9827.

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