Major Controversies Surrounding Matt Gaetz: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Matt Gaetz.

Matt Gaetz is an American politician and lawyer. As a Republican, he represented Florida's 1st congressional district from 2017 until 2024. Gaetz, who identifies as a libertarian populist, is known for his far-right political views and strong support for Donald Trump. A notable action includes his October 2023 motion to vacate, which resulted in Kevin McCarthy's removal as Speaker of the House.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2007: Reference to Robert Levinson disappearance

The text mentions the 2007 disappearance of U.S. federal agent Robert Levinson in Iran as part of an alleged extortion scheme against Matt Gaetz and his father.

2008: Discussion of 2008 Arrest

In 2008, Matt Gaetz brought up his 2008 arrest and non-conviction, arguing that his mistakes made him who he is and that publicly available mugshots "could be a problem for those unaccustomed to publicity".

2008: Gaetz Arrested for DUI

In 2008, Matt Gaetz was arrested for driving under the influence in Okaloosa Island, Florida. Police recorded him driving 48 mph in a 35 mph zone, and he showed signs of intoxication. Gaetz initially denied drinking alcohol but later admitted to drinking two beers. He refused field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer test after being arrested.

2015: Gaetz disagrees with Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, Matt Gaetz publicly disagreed with the ruling. He stated that individual states should have the right to decide on the issue of same-sex marriage and characterized the decision as "judicial activism" that threatened democracy.

2015: Vote Against Revenge Porn Bill

In 2015, Matt Gaetz was one of two members to vote against a Florida bill which criminalized revenge porn, citing "personal animosity".

September 25, 2016: Criticized Athletes Protesting During National Anthem

Following the death of Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández, Matt Gaetz criticized the athletes protesting during the national anthem in a tweet on September 25, 2016.

2016: Gaetz acknowledged global warming but dissented from scientific consensus

In 2016, Matt Gaetz acknowledged global warming but said he disagrees with the scientific consensus on climate change that human activity is the primary cause.

2016: Gaetz Opposed Sanctuary Cities

In 2016, upon announcing his run for Congress, Matt Gaetz expressed opposition to sanctuary cities and said that undocumented immigrants were "sucking us dry".

January 2017: Gaetz proposed legislation to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency

In January 2017, Matt Gaetz proposed legislation to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), claiming that it hurts small businesses via the costs associated with compliance.

April 2017: Gaetz labeled as a climate change denier

In April 2017, the Center for American Progress and Vice Media labeled Matt Gaetz as a climate change denier, citing his 2016 statements on global warming.

July 2017: Witness Testimony on Gaetz's Alleged Sexual Encounter with Minor

In July 2017, a woman testified that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with her 17-year-old friend. According to her testimony, Gaetz paused the relationship when he became aware of the girl's age and resumed it after she turned 18.

September 4, 2017: Greenberg Learns of Underage Girl

On September 4, 2017, Joel Greenberg learned that the 17-year-old girl he and Matt Gaetz had had sex with was underage.

October 2017: Gaetz argued Medicaid expansion fueled the opioid crisis

In October 2017, Matt Gaetz argued that the Medicaid expansion permitted by the Affordable Care Act fueled the opioid crisis. PolitiFact rated the claim "mostly false."

November 2017: Gaetz calls for Mueller to recuse himself

In November 2017, Matt Gaetz introduced a congressional resolution calling for Robert Mueller to recuse himself as special counsel due to alleged conflicts of interest. Gaetz also asked for a special counsel investigation into the FBI's handling of the Hillary Clinton email controversy.

2017: Alleged Party Attendance with Underage Girl

In 2017, Matt Gaetz reportedly attended a party alongside a 17-year-old girl, at the home of lobbyist Chris Dorworth where people engaged in sexual activities and did drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis.

2017: Alleged sex trafficking of a minor

In 2017, federal officials started to investigate Matt Gaetz for allegedly sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl.

2017: Hacker Obtains Testimony Regarding Alleged Sexual Encounter

In 2017, the sworn testimony of a woman alleging she had sex with Matt Gaetz when she was 17, along with corroborating eyewitness testimony, was obtained by a hacker on November 18. The hacker did not immediately leak the material, and a lawyer noticed the suspicious download.

January 2018: Gaetz Defended Trump's "Shithole" Countries Statement

In January 2018, Matt Gaetz defended a statement by Trump that reportedly said Haiti and African nations were "shithole" countries, describing Haiti's condition as covered by "sheet metal and garbage" and in "disgusting" condition.

January 2018: Gaetz Invites Charles C. Johnson to State of the Union Address

In January 2018, Matt Gaetz invited Charles C. Johnson, an alt-right activist and Holocaust denier, to attend Donald Trump's State of the Union address. Johnson previously raised money for the neo-Nazi website The Daily Stormer.

April 2018: Accompanied Joel Greenberg to a government office

In April 2018, Matt Gaetz reportedly accompanied Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg to a government office where Greenberg was allegedly producing fake IDs.

May 2018: Venmo transaction to Joel Greenberg

In May 2018, Venmo transaction records reportedly showed Matt Gaetz sending $900 to Joel Greenberg, with a memo referring to a woman. Greenberg then relayed the money to three women, one of whom was 18, with the memos "tuition" and "school".

September 2018: Trip to the Bahamas under investigation

In September 2018, Matt Gaetz's trip to the Bahamas with Jason Pirozzolo became the subject of a federal investigation in 2021. Investigators explored whether escorts were sexually trafficked for Gaetz and whether Gaetz accepted paid escorts in exchange for political access or legislative favors for Pirozzolo.

September 2018: Text messages indicate prostitute was arranged for Gaetz

In September 2018, text messages between Joel Greenberg and a woman engaging in prostitution indicated that a prostitute was arranged for Matt Gaetz and that MDMA may have been proffered.

October 2018: Gaetz Falsely Claimed George Soros Paid for Migrant Caravan

In October 2018, Matt Gaetz falsely stated that George Soros paid for a caravan of migrants from Central America to the United States.

2018: Attended Rallies with Proud Boys Presence

In 2018, Matt Gaetz attended political rallies at which members of the Proud Boys were present.

January 2019: Gaetz Paid Women over $10,000

Between July 2017 and January 2019, the DOJ charted payments showing that Matt Gaetz paid two women over $10,000 across 27 Venmo transactions and a check.

February 26, 2019: Gaetz Tweets at Michael Cohen

On February 26, 2019, Matt Gaetz tweeted at Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, implying, without evidence, that Cohen had extramarital affairs and suggesting Cohen's wife might be unfaithful while Cohen was imprisoned. This tweet was seen by other members of Congress as an attempt to intimidate a witness. Gaetz deleted the tweet after criticism and apologized.

April 2019: Hired Darren Beattie

In April 2019, Matt Gaetz hired Darren Beattie as a speechwriter. Beattie had previously been fired as a speechwriter for the Trump administration after attending a conference associated with white nationalists.

August 2019: Florida Bar announces no probable cause against Gaetz

In August 2019, the Florida Bar announced it had found no probable cause that Matt Gaetz had violated its rules regarding his tweet directed at Michael Cohen.

October 2019: Gaetz organizes storming of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility

In October 2019, Matt Gaetz organized a "storming" of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility on Capitol Hill by about two dozen Republican congressmen to sit in on the deposition of a Pentagon official during the Trump impeachment inquiry. The congressmen's cell phones and other devices put the secure facility and U.S. national security at risk.

2019: Corey Ryan Beekman charged with murder

In 2019, Corey Ryan Beekman, who was invited by Matt Gaetz to lead the pledge of allegiance at a Judiciary Committee hearing in February 2023, was charged with murder in Michigan.

2019: Attended Rallies with Proud Boys Presence

In 2019, Matt Gaetz attended political rallies at which members of the Proud Boys were present.

2019: Gaetz Voted Against Condemning Trump's Withdrawal from Syria

In 2019, Matt Gaetz was one of 60 representatives to vote against condemning Trump's withdrawal from Syria.

January 2020: Secret Service tip regarding fake IDs

In January 2020, the U.S. Secret Service reportedly received a tip that Matt Gaetz had accompanied Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg to a government office in April 2018 where Greenberg was producing fake IDs. Greenberg was later indicted in August 2020 on various charges, including sex trafficking. The investigation of Greenberg led federal officials to look into some of Gaetz's related activities, and in late 2020, the Justice Department opened an investigation of Gaetz for alleged sex trafficking in 2017.

February 2020: Gaetz Supports Pardon for Roger Stone

In February 2020, Matt Gaetz appeared on The View and said that he would support a pardon for Trump associate Roger Stone, shortly before Stone was sentenced.

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March 2020: Gaetz wore a gas mask during House debate on COVID-19 funds and self-quarantined

In early March 2020, Matt Gaetz wore a gas mask during a House debate on COVID-19 funds. Later that month, specifically March 9, his office reported he was in contact with a CPAC attendee who tested positive for COVID-19, leading to a 14-day self-quarantine.

April 2020: Report on Gaetz's office rental

In April 2020, Politico reported that Matt Gaetz had spent nearly $200,000 of taxpayer funds renting an office from Collier Merrill, a Pensacola real estate developer, restaurateur, and longtime friend. Gaetz and Merrill said Gaetz paid below-market rent for the space.

June 1, 2020: Gaetz's Tweet on Antifa Labeled as Glorifying Violence

On June 1, 2020, during the nationwide George Floyd protests, Matt Gaetz tweeted about hunting down antifa like those in the Middle East, leading Twitter to hide the tweet and label it as violating rules about glorifying violence.

July 1, 2020: Office of Congressional Ethics terminates review of lease arrangements

On July 1, 2020, the Office of Congressional Ethics notified Matt Gaetz it had terminated its review of the lease arrangements.

July 2020: Politico reports expenditures by Gaetz

In July 2020, Politico reported that its investigation had found expenditures by Matt Gaetz that appeared to violate the House ethics rules: spending tens of thousands of dollars for a speech-writing consultant and having a private company install a television studio in his father's home in Niceville, Florida.

August 2020: Joel Greenberg Indicted

In August 2020, Joel Greenberg was indicted on an array of charges, including sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl in 2017 and creating fake IDs to facilitate sex trafficking.

August 26, 2020: Gaetz Supported Kyle Rittenhouse

On August 26, 2020, Matt Gaetz tweeted support for Kyle Rittenhouse, who shot and killed two people during the Jacob Blake shooting protests. Gaetz was one of three representatives to offer Rittenhouse a Congressional internship.

November 2020: Gaetz Advocates for Pardons

In November 2020, Matt Gaetz suggested on Fox News that Donald Trump should pardon Michael Flynn, his administration officials, and Joe Exotic.

December 4, 2020: Gaetz Attended Indoor New York Young Republicans Club Conference

On December 4, 2020, Matt Gaetz attended an indoor New York Young Republicans Club conference in Jersey City, New Jersey, during a surge in COVID-19 cases. He was seen posing for photos in a crowd of unmasked attendees, leading to public condemnation.

2020: Repeated Debunked Claims of Fraud in the 2020 election

During the "America First Tour", Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene repeated debunked claims of fraud in the 2020 election.

2020: Filed Ethics Complaint Against Nancy Pelosi

Following the 2020 State of the Union Address, Matt Gaetz filed an ethics complaint against speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, arguing that she had committed a "flagrant violation of decorum" by ripping up her copy of the speech.

2020: Accusations of Child Sex Trafficking and Statutory Rape

In 2020, Matt Gaetz was accused of child sex trafficking and statutory rape, but the United States Department of Justice decided not to charge him.

2020: Cassidy Hutchinson's claims about Gaetz at Camp David

In 2020, former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson wrote in her memoir that, during a trip to Camp David, Gaetz made "repeated passes" at her and asked her to "escort" him to his room. Gaetz has denied these actions.

January 7, 2021: Gaetz falsely blames antifa for Capitol attack

On January 7, 2021, after Trump supporters violently broke into the U.S. Capitol, Matt Gaetz falsely blamed antifa for the attack, suggesting that rioters were "masquerading as Trump supporters".

January 10, 2021: Kevin McCarthy Complains About Gaetz's Actions

On January 10, 2021, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy complained that Matt Gaetz was unnecessarily "putting people in jeopardy" due to the events of January 6.

February 2021: Gaetz skips votes to attend CPAC

In late February 2021, Matt Gaetz and other Republican House members skipped votes, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). An ethics watchdog group filed a complaint, requesting an investigation into Gaetz and the other lawmakers.

March 30, 2021: Reported possible job at Newsmax and Justice Department investigation

On March 30, 2021, Axios reported that Matt Gaetz was considering leaving Congress early for a job at Newsmax. Simultaneously, The New York Times reported that the Justice Department was investigating Gaetz. Investigators also examined whether Gaetz used campaign money for travel and expenses related to young women and if cash and drugs were involved.

March 31, 2021: McCarthy's Statement on Gaetz

On March 31, 2021, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy stated that he had no immediate plans to remove Matt Gaetz from his positions on the Judiciary and Armed Services Committees. However, McCarthy indicated that his decision might change if Gaetz were indicted or if the allegations against him proved to be true.

April 2021: Greenberg's Confession Letter Reported

In April 2021, The Daily Beast reported that Joel Greenberg attempted to secure a pardon from the Trump administration via a confession letter, writing that he and Matt Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl they believed was 19, and that payments had been made on behalf of Gaetz to her and other women in exchange for sex.

April 2021: House Ethics Committee Begins Probe

In April 2021, the House Ethics Committee initiated a probe into Matt Gaetz's alleged misconduct but paused it pending the DOJ investigation.

May 2021: Gaetz made controversial Second Amendment Remarks at America First Rally

During a May 2021 "America First" rally with Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz stated, "We have a Second Amendment in this country, and I think we have an obligation to use it!", implying the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if necessary. He also criticized Big Tech companies for suppression.

May 2021: Capitol Hill Intern Cooperates with Investigators

In May 2021, a Capitol Hill intern who dated Matt Gaetz agreed to cooperate with investigators regarding Gaetz's September 2018 financial transactions on his Bahamas trip.

June 10, 2021: Gaetz Claimed Chinese Whistle-Blower Possessed Information on COVID-19 Origins

After a contentious House committee hearing on June 10, 2021, Matt Gaetz said a Chinese whistle-blower possessed text messages and documents concerning COVID-19's origins that US government investigators had failed to pursue.

June 2021: Voted Against Congressional Gold Medal for Capitol Police

In June 2021, Matt Gaetz was one of 21 House Republicans to vote against a resolution to give the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

June 23, 2021: Gaetz Tweeted that the FBI Should Be Defunded

On June 23, 2021, Matt Gaetz tweeted that the FBI should be defunded, while it was investigating him for alleged sex trafficking and having sex with a minor. He later deleted the tweet.

August 2021: Greenberg's sentencing hearing delayed

In August 2021, Joel Greenberg's sentencing hearing was originally scheduled but had been repeatedly delayed due to his cooperation in related investigations, including those involving Matt Gaetz.

August 2021: Gaetz co-sponsored resolution to impeach Mayorkas and Biden

In August 2021, Matt Gaetz co-sponsored a resolution by Andy Biggs to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. Later that month, he also co-sponsored a resolution by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to impeach President Biden.

August 2021: Stephen Alford Indicted

In August 2021, Stephen Alford was federally indicted for allegedly conducting the extortion scheme against Matt Gaetz. Prosecutors alleged that Alford said he had contacts in the Justice Department who could arrange for a presidential pardon for Gaetz and directed Don Gaetz to wire the money to a trust account managed by David McGee.

October 2021: Florida Bar Suspension

In October 2021, Matt Gaetz was suspended from practicing law by the Florida bar due to unpaid fees. He was later reinstated after the fee was paid.

2021: Gaetz Calls Anti-Defamation League a "racist organization"

In 2021, Matt Gaetz called the Anti-Defamation League a "racist organization" after it condemned Tucker Carlson's promotion of Great Replacement theory. Gaetz supported Carlson's views on the theory.

2021: Gaetz Voted Against Condemning Myanmar Coup D'état

In 2021, Matt Gaetz was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against a measure condemning the Myanmar coup d'état that overwhelmingly passed, for reasons reported to be unclear.

2021: House Ethics Committee investigates Gaetz.

In 2021, the House Ethics Committee began investigating Matt Gaetz over allegations that he had had sexual relations with a minor. According to McCarthy, the House ethics committee had been investigating the case since 2021, before McCarthy was appointed speaker.

January 2022: Joseph Ellicott pleads guilty and cooperates

In January 2022, Joseph Ellicott, an associate of both Matt Gaetz and Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty to two charges related to the investigation and is cooperating with authorities.

January 2022: Gaetz's ex-girlfriend testifies before grand jury

In January 2022, an ex-girlfriend of Matt Gaetz testified before a grand jury after being granted immunity. Later in January 2022, Joseph Ellicott confessed that on September 4, 2017, he witnessed Greenberg telling Gaetz over the phone that the woman they had both had sex with was underage.

April 2022: Report on McCarthy's Complaint

In April 2022, there was a report of a conversation on January 10, 2021, where House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy complained that Matt Gaetz was unnecessarily "putting people in jeopardy" due to the events of January 6.

July 23, 2022: Gaetz made controversial comments about overweight women and abortion

On July 23, 2022, Matt Gaetz gave a speech at a Student Action Summit in Tampa, Florida, making controversial comments about overweight or unattractive women and their support for abortion rights, leading to a backlash and fundraising efforts for abortion funds.

September 2022: Prosecutors Recommended No Charges in Sex Trafficking Investigation

In September 2022, a Washington Post article reported that prosecutors recommended not charging Matt Gaetz in the sex trafficking investigation. The recommendation was based on the unlikelihood of a conviction, partially due to credibility issues with the two main witnesses.

September 2022: Gaetz advocates for impeachment inquiries against Democrats

In a September 2022 episode of Steve Bannon's War Room podcast, Matt Gaetz stated that Republicans should prioritize "impeachment inquiries" against Democrats to investigate them if Republicans won the 2022 U.S. House of Representatives elections.

December 1, 2022: Greenberg sentenced to 11 years in prison

On December 1, 2022, Joel Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison, plus 10 years of supervised release, due to his assistance with prosecutors in a series of investigations, including those involving Matt Gaetz.

2022: House Speaker Election

In 2022, Matt Gaetz and other members of the Freedom Caucus withheld votes from Kevin McCarthy in the House Speaker election. Gaetz nominated Trump once and voted for Trump on the 7th, 8th and 11th ballots. On the 15th and last ballot, Gaetz switched his vote to "present", allowing McCarthy to win the speakership.

2022: Voted against the Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, Matt Gaetz voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which aimed to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and codify legal recognition of marriage to opposite-sex marriage in federal law.

2022: Gaetz's Ex-Girlfriend Received Immunity and Testified

In 2022, Matt Gaetz's ex-girlfriend received immunity and testified in the criminal investigation, though the House Ethics Committee reportedly did not expect her cooperation in the ethics investigation voluntarily.

February 2023: House Ethics Committee Reopens Probe

Following the conclusion of the DOJ investigation, in February 2023, the House Ethics Committee reopened its probe into Matt Gaetz's conduct.

February 2023: Invited Corey Ryan Beekman to Lead Pledge of Allegiance

In February 2023, Matt Gaetz invited Corey Ryan Beekman to lead the pledge of allegiance at a Judiciary Committee hearing. Beekman had been charged with murder in 2019, and Gaetz apologized to the victim's family.

February 2023: DOJ Concludes Investigation, Will Not Lay Charges

In February 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) informed Matt Gaetz's attorneys that they had concluded their investigation and would not be pressing charges against him. This effectively ended the multiyear probe into allegations of misconduct.

March 2023: Gaetz hires Derrick Miller

In March 2023, The Intercept reported that Matt Gaetz had hired Derrick Miller as his military legislative aide. Miller had previously spent eight years in prison after being convicted of murdering a civilian during his army service in Afghanistan.

June 2023: House Ethics Committee Resumes Investigation

In June 2023, the House Ethics Committee resumed its investigation, which had been deferred at the request of the Justice Department, into allegations that Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift.

September 2023: Gaetz denounced Biden impeachment effort

In September 2023, days after a Biden impeachment inquiry was opened, Matt Gaetz denounced the impeachment effort as a political stunt during a video conference moderated by Steve Bannon.

October 2, 2023: Gaetz files resolution to oust McCarthy

On October 2, 2023, Matt Gaetz filed a resolution to remove Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, after McCarthy worked with Democrats to pass a resolution to avert a government shutdown. The resolution ultimately passed with a vote of 216–210.

October 2023: Filed motion to vacate leading to removal of Kevin McCarthy

In October 2023, Matt Gaetz filed a motion to vacate which led to the removal of Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

October 2023: Motion to Vacate Filed

In October 2023, Matt Gaetz filed a motion to vacate which resulted in the removal of Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

April 2024: McCarthy accuses Gaetz of filing motion to oust him for protection

In April 2024, Kevin McCarthy accused Matt Gaetz of initiating the motion to remove him from his speakership in order to shield himself from allegations of having had sexual relations with a minor. According to McCarthy, the House ethics committee had been investigating the case since 2021, before McCarthy was appointed speaker.

April 2024: Gaetz Voted Against Military Aid Package for Ukraine

In April 2024, Matt Gaetz voted against the $60 billion military aid package for Ukraine, although much of the money would have gone to his constituency.

September 2024: Court documents allege party attendance with underage girl

In September 2024, court documents stated that, according to multiple eyewitnesses, Matt Gaetz had attended a party in 2017 alongside a 17-year-old girl, at the home of lobbyist Chris Dorworth where people engaged in sexual activities and did drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis.

November 2024: Gaetz Resigned from House Before Ethics Report Release

In mid-November 2024, days before the committee was scheduled to vote whether to release its report, Matt Gaetz resigned from the House, in part due to an announcement of his nomination as United States Attorney General for Donald Trump's second term. This action caused the committee to lose jurisdiction to continue its probe and prevented the release of the report.

December 2024: House Ethics Committee Report Released

In December 2024, the House Ethics Committee released a report finding evidence that Matt Gaetz paid for sex, including with a 17-year-old, and abused illegal drugs during his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives.

2024: Gaetz's claim about FBI Operatives participation in the January 6th Capitol riot

In 2024, As of 2024, there is still no evidence for such a claim made by Gaetz before the week of June 23, 2021, where he claimed without evidence that "FBI operatives organized and participated in the January 6th Capitol riot."

2024: Condemns schools and introduces "National Prayer In School Act"

In 2024, Matt Gaetz condemned schools for promoting what he described as "degenerate LGBT and anti-White propaganda" and introduced his "National Prayer In School Act".