Does Trump have new plan for Matt Gaetz after AG debacle? MAGA thinks so

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew his name from consideration to be the next Attorney General, he announced Thursday. But does MAGA have a plan for this GOP firebrand?
The embattled Republican was under fire over the past week after Presdient-elect Donald Trump tapped him to be his nominee for Attorney General in his next administration. After many Republicans expressed concerns with the choice, Gaetz revealed Thursday he would no longer pursue the role.
Now, MAGA wants Gaetz to replace Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in the Senate. Trump tapped Rubio to be nominated to serve as his Secretary of State earlier this month, which gives Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) the chance to appoint a new senator to fill the role.
“Senator Gaetz” is trending on social media platform X as of Thursday afternoon.
One user wrote on X: “Dammit man, @mattgaetz was gonna clean house. Well @GovRonDeSantis it’s time to make him Senator Gaetz.”
Another user said: “We need to get Gov Ron DeSantis to appoint Matt Gaetz to the empty US Senate seat being vacated by Marco Rubio. We need Senator Matt Gaetz.”
“Matt Gaetz declines the AG nomination. @GovRonDeSantis needs to make him Senator Gaetz,” a separate user wrote.
Gaetz resigned from his House seat after Trump selected him to be his Attorney Genera last week. His resignation reportedly came just days before a House Ethics Committee report was to be released in connection to allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use brought against him. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.
Gaetz ultimately said that he did not want his confirmation process to serve as a “distraction” from the incoming Trump administration. He also faced a yearlong Justice Department investigation into potential sex trafficking violations, but was never charged.
“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,” Gaetz said in a statement.
“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. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” he added.
It’s unclear what Gaetz will do next. He said in his resignation letter last week that he does not intend to take the oath of office for his Florida seat he won reelection to earlier this month.
While he may seek Florida’s Senate seat, he could also run for governor of the state once DeSantis’s term is up, as reporter Jake Lahut noted.
Trump also posted a statement about Gaetz’s decision on Thursday.
“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!” he said.
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