Allies of embattled former Congressman Matt Gaetz have floated plenty of possibilities for his next act: political appointee, Florida senator—Florida governor, even. But Gaetz, never one to shun the limelight, has squeezed in a little side hustle first: hawking $500 clips on the personalized video site Cameo.
Gaetz joined Cameo on Friday, just nine days after President-elect Donald Trump tapped him for attorney general and one day after Gaetz declined the gig. The former Florida representative has been plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, which he denies. But he withdrew from consideration last week after it became clear that he could not muster enough votes to pass confirmation, even in a Republican-controlled Senate. Trump has since nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Gaetz called “awesome” and “a real one” in recent Cameo messages.
Gaetz addressed his failed nomination in several clips, including a congratulatory video for a lawyer who made partner at her law firm. “My legal career took a bit of a different turn this last week,” Gaetz said. “But you know what? Work hard, make a lot of money, do a lot of great things as a practitioner and counselor at law and, you know, you never know. You could be an attorney general nominee, too.” In another video, Gaetz joked about ordering drone strikes against his rivals. “Now listen. I may not be the attorney general, the most powerful law enforcement officer in the land,” Gaetz said. “And so I can’t, like, order predator strikes on my enemies, as much as I would like to.” (But, Gaetz added, “I can order you to have as much fun as possible.”)
Cameo has become a popular (if slightly sleazy) second act for disgraced and faded politicos. Gaetz’s competition on the site includes former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, and former New York Representative George Santos, who has reportedly made more money on Cameo than he did in Congress. Gaetz has sold 12 videos and had a five-star rating as of Monday morning. However, he and his wife, Ginger Luckey Gaetz, have hinted that they don’t consider this a permanent or full-time gig: “Funemployment looks dashing on you,” Luckey Gaetz wrote of her husband.
Since Saturday, Gaetz has also made three X posts referencing a run for office in 2028 when Ron DeSantis’s term ends. “If I run for Florida Governor, it will be on a platform to outlaw frost,” he joked Monday morning, replying to a meme about cold weather in the state.
