“The End of an Era”: Ginger Gaetz Hints at Husband’s Exit from Politics After AG Withdrawal
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Ginger Gaetz, wife of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), suggested that her husband may be stepping away from federal government service following his decision to withdraw as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general.
In a statement on Thursday, Matt Gaetz announced his withdrawal, saying his “confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction” from Trump’s agenda. Shortly after, Ginger Gaetz posted on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “The end of an era,” alongside a photo of herself and Matt Gaetz standing on the Capitol steps.
The comments hint at the conclusion of Matt Gaetz’s time in public office. Earlier this month, he resigned from Congress after Trump nominated him for the attorney general position. In his resignation letter, Gaetz stated, “I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump administration.”
Gaetz’s withdrawal as Trump’s nominee came just 45 minutes after CNN reported new allegations involving a second sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl. According to CNN, “The woman, who was 17 years old at the time, testified that the second sexual encounter, which has not previously been reported, included another adult woman. She also testified to both sexual encounters in a civil deposition as part of a related lawsuit, sources said.”
Matt Gaetz has consistently denied allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, but the claims have cast a shadow over his political career and Trump’s administration. While Ginger Gaetz’s post does not explicitly confirm Matt Gaetz’s retirement from public service, it strongly suggests that his time in Congress and other federal roles has ended.
The couple’s next steps remain unclear, though Matt Gaetz’s departure marks a significant chapter in both his political trajectory and Trump’s Cabinet-building process. Gaetz’s resignation and withdrawal come amid mounting scrutiny of Trump’s administration picks, as well as ongoing controversies over allegations against multiple high-profile figures in Trump’s orbit. For Gaetz, it appears the fallout has prompted a pause—or perhaps a permanent end—to his career in federal government.
