Leaked Ethics Testimony Fuels Media’s Campaign to Try Gaetz in Public Opinion
Witness testimony emerges, but is this just another chapter in the media’s playbook to try Gaetz in the court of public opinion and block a nomination?
Just as I published my post yesterday on Matt Gaetz’s Attorney General nomination and while I was enjoying a piping hot lasagna with my husband at our favorite family Italian restaurant, new details emerged on Gaetz—this time, from the House Ethics Committee investigation, conveniently leaked to ABC News.
While these revelations are making headlines, they add little to what we already know while still leaving questions unanswered. If anything, they underscore the political gamesmanship surrounding Gaetz, his nomination, and the allegations against him.
The Origin of the Scandal
Gaetz’s controversy didn’t begin with his nomination or even the DOJ investigation. It started back on March 30, 2021, when an anonymously sourced New York Times article accused him of potentially being involved in child sex trafficking. The report, crafted by journalists who amplified the false Russia collusion story, was sparse on specifics and rich in insinuation. Citing unnamed sources "briefed on the matter," the article provided no direct evidence against Gaetz for any sex crimes. Instead, it used the go-to strategy of the Media guilt-by-association, burying a crucial disclaimer later in the piece, admitting that no charges had been filed and that Gaetz’s "criminal exposure" was still "unclear."
Gaetz immediately and strenuously denied the allegations, calling them out for what he said they were—a baseless smear. Yet, the damage was immediate. Even though 18 months later, as Mollie Hemingway points out in The Federalist, the DOJ quietly let the public know through another anonymously sourced Washington Post article that no charges would be filed, the reputation hits had already been dealt. CNN bluntly predicted that "Matt Gaetz’s days in politics are likely numbered," and even The Washington Post remarked that the accusations made it politically untenable for colleagues to publicly defend him.
This tactic—using media leaks to convict someone in the court of public opinion—has proven effective. As journalist Glenn Greenwald observed on the one-year anniversary of the original Gaetz story, strategically timed leaks "destroy reputations and convict targets of repellent crimes that will never be brought in a court of law, thus relieving the state of the requirement to prove the crime and depriving the accused the opportunity to exonerate themselves." Gaetz became the subject of relentless satire, from Saturday Night Live sketches to left-leaning media commentaries that treated his political demise as inevitable.
The Ethics Committee’s Political Timing
Despite the DOJ declining to press charges, the Democrat-led House Ethics Committee stepped in, beginning its investigation in parallel to Gaetz’s DOJ inquiry—an unusual move since the committee typically waits for DOJ probes to conclude. This investigation reignited speculation about allegations previously set aside, just as Gaetz was being tapped for Attorney General.
This committee isn’t composed of Gaetz’s political allies. Every Republican on the committee—Michael Guest (R-MS), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), John Rutherford (R-FL), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN)—had steadfastly backed Kevin McCarthy’s speakership bid, positioning them directly against Gaetz, the architect of McCarthy’s ouster. Their support for McCarthy was unwavering across the 15 ballot rounds, making it clear that while this is a bipartisan committee, it’s hardly friendly ground for Gaetz.
The ABC Report: What’s Really New?
The latest leak to ABC News centers on familiar allegations and testimony from the same witnesses that factored into the DOJ’s investigation. This time, the report highlights the testimony of a woman who claims she engaged in a relationship with Gaetz when she was 17. She recounts parties where drugs were allegedly present and where Gaetz was reportedly in attendance. These testimonies are not new and don’t provide direct evidence of Gaetz’s involvement in illegal acts. Attending a party does not inherently implicate one in illicit activities—could he have been there? Certainly, but presence alone doesn’t equate to guilt, and the DOJ concluded as much.
The report also revisits Venmo payments that witnesses claim were for sex, which Gaetz denies, describing the payments as generosity to ex-girlfriends. These claims, lacking new substantiation, remain as unconvincing as they were when DOJ officials reviewed them.
"These allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress," Gaetz said in response to ABC News' reporting. "This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism."
Acknowledging Gaetz’s Own Role in His Vulnerability
While we may not know the full extent of Gaetz's actions, one thing is clear: he should have avoided putting himself in a position vulnerable to these allegations. In politics, proximity to scandal—whether or not it involves criminal activity—can be enough to damage a career. Being present at parties linked to questionable activities, as Gaetz was alleged to have been, might not directly equate to illegal behavior, but it undeniably opens the door for accusations. The DOJ, despite having the chance to prosecute, ultimately declined to press charges due to lack of evidence and concerns around witness credibility.
Considering the political climate and Gaetz’s outspoken opposition to certain DOJ practices, it’s easy to imagine that if they had enough to proceed, they would have done so. But they did not, and what followed was what could only be described as a coordinated media assault, complete with sensationalist headlines and thinly sourced claims that painted Gaetz as guilty without concrete evidence. These practices have become all too common in the Media—leaking partial details while admitting to insufficient evidence—and have been used time and again, leading to the very crisis of credibility that the media now faces.
At the center of these allegations is Joel Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector with a track record of deceit and a lengthy criminal record. Greenberg’s past includes falsifying accusations against a political rival, a fact that raises serious questions about his reliability as a witness. Although Greenberg’s cooperation is noted in his plea deal, his credibility—or lack thereof—continues to cast a shadow over the testimonies tied to him.
Witness Credibility and Media’s Role in the Scandal
Witness credibility is the sticking point in this matter. The DOJ’s decision to forgo charges wasn’t just about insufficient evidence; it was also about the reliability of the witnesses, an issue left unaddressed in the recent ABC leak. Why their credibility is in question remains unclear, as does why media reports gloss over this crucial aspect, leaving the public in a credibility void. The same witnesses that failed to hold up under DOJ scrutiny are now central to the Ethics Committee’s findings, yet the media doesn’t seem inclined to press for answers.
Should we be surprised by this leak? No. Remember, the same media outlets that initially propagated anonymous accusations against Gaetz without substantial evidence are now reviving the story in time for his confirmation process. The political motives are clear, yet the credibility of these reports remains murky.
A Pattern of Weaponized Leaks
The timing of leaks quickly following Gaetz’s nomination, speaks volumes. From the New York Times’s original story to the latest ABC coverage, the cycle follows a predictable pattern: leak, amplify, discredit. This tactic sidesteps due process, using the court of public opinion to secure convictions that the court of law wouldn’t. As Gaetz heads into a Senate confirmation process that promises to be an uphill battle, these tactics underscore how politicized justice can undermine individuals’ rights without ever setting foot in a courtroom.
Gaetz’s Uphill Confirmation Battle
Gaetz’s path to Attorney General will be anything but smooth. Whether or not he’s ultimately confirmed depends as much on Senate politics as on public perception shaped by strategically timed media leaks. The allegations against him remain unresolved, casting a shadow over his nomination, but the evidence remains as thin as it was when the DOJ initially declined to prosecute. The real question now is whether Senate Republicans will withstand the media-driven pressure and focus on facts rather than innuendo.
Without transparency from the Ethics Committee and clarity on witness reliability, we’re left to speculate—about both the motives behind the leaks and the veracity of the allegations. For now, all eyes are on Gaetz’s confirmation hearing, a showdown that promises to reveal more about our political climate than about the truth of these allegations.
In the end, whether or not Gaetz clears the confirmation hurdles remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: this saga isn’t just about one man’s potential role in the DOJ. It’s about the power of media, the weaponization of leaks, and the murky intersection of truth and politics in a time when accusations alone are often more potent than evidence. For those tuning in, get ready—it looks like it’ll be another popcorn-worthy spectacle.
