Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

CNN Is Pretty Sure They Know The Real Reason Matt Gaetz Dropped Out Of AG Contention

Matt Gaetz
Alex Wong/Getty Images

CNN informed Matt Gaetz they would publish a story about further accusations of sex with minors, and Gaetz dropped out 6 minutes before the piece was set to publish.

Former GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz dropped out from attorney General consideration six minutes before CNN was to publish further details about his sexual misconduct allegations.

Gaetz had been investigated by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sex trafficking, sexual misconduct, and illicit drug use when President-elect Trump shockingly picked Gaetz as AG on November 13, 2024.


This prompted the embattled Florida Representative to immediately resign from Congress, rendering the Committee without jurisdiction over the case. And then Republicans on the committee voted to block the release of their final report.

Earlier this afternoon, Gaetz unexpectedly pulled out of consideration for Attorney General, saying his confirmation "was unfairly becoming a distraction" as Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance prepare their move into the West Wing.

At 12:24 p.m. ET on Thursday, Gaetz wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many."
"While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition."
"There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General."


He continued:

"Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history."
"I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America."

But CNN knew there was more to the story behind his impulsive exit.

A source told the news outlet that the woman who previously claimed to have had sex with Gaetz when she was 17 informed the House Ethics Committee she had two sexual encounters with him at one party in 2017.

The woman said the second sexual encounter, which hadn't been reported before, involved another woman.

Before breaking the story, CNN's Paula Reid reached out to Gaetz for comment on the story. She also informed him the scoop was going live at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Six minutes before CNN broke the story, Gaetz made his dramatic announcement.

As CNN notes:

After being asked for comment for this story, Gaetz announced he was backing out as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee.

How convenient.

People had plenty to say about the latest developments.










Gaetz has continued to deny any wrongdoing but despite resigning from Congress and now dropping his bid for Attorney General, the ethics report may still be released if Democrats have a say.

Republican Senators meanwhile were unfazed by Gaetz's announcement on Thursday as it was clear they were unlikely to give Trump's highly contentious cabinet pick a majority vote even in a Republican majority Senate. Trump subsequently put forward a new nominee for AG, Pam Bondi, former Attorney General of Florida.

More from News

Liz Cheney; Donald Trump
Nic Antaya for The Washington Post via Getty Images; NBC

Liz Cheney Responds After Trump Says She Should 'Go To Jail' For Investigating Jan. 6 Attack

Former Wyoming Republican Representative Liz Cheney criticized President-elect Donald Trump after he told Meet the Press host Kristen Welker that Cheney and others on the House select committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol insurrection "should be jailed."

Cheney angered her own party and was ousted from her leadership position in the House of Representatives after she pushed back against Trump's falsehoods about the integrity of the 2020 election. She later served as Vice Chair of the House Select Committee on January 6, which resulted in her losing her primary to MAGA extremist Harriet Hageman, whom Trump endorsed.

Keep ReadingShow less
2025 calendar with tweet overlayed reading: "We are so doomed"
Pakin Songmor/GettyImages; @Haywhyforyou/X

People Just Noticed An Ominous Detail About The 2025 Calendar—And Oh Dear

Christmas is already around the corner. Can you believe it?

This time each year, many of us are SMH-ing over the fact that another year has sped by as the holidays following Halloween hit us in rapid succession.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anok Yai; Alex Consani
Dave Benett/Getty Images; Dave Benett/Getty Images

Supermodel Sparks Debate With Reaction To Losing 'Model Of The Year' Award To Trans Model

Model Anok Yai sparked quite the debate on social media after she said she was "exhausted" and proceeded to call out the British Fashion Council after they awarded the 2024 Model of the Year award to trans model Alex Consani.

Consani, the first out trans model to ever win Model of the Year, expressed her excitement on Instagram, sharing celebratory photos and videos accompanied by the captions:

Keep ReadingShow less
Jonathan Bennett; Jonathan Bennett as Aaron Samuels in 'Mean Girls'
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images; Paramount Pictures

Jonathan Bennett Reveals He Wasn't First Choice For 'Mean Girls' Role With Wild Story

Most of us have applied for at least one dream job, only for it to be offered to someone else. But sometimes the story doesn't end with the job offer; in fact, we might get another chance at that job or even something better.

And according to Veronica Mars actor Jonathan Bennett, this concept can be applied to acting gigs, as well.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Share Things Their Partner Told Them That Changed The Way They Saw Them

Actions may speak louder than words, but that is not to say that words do not carry power.

In a single moment, how we feel about someone can totally change because of something surprising they have said.

Keep ReadingShow less