By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-14 15:25:54 | Updated at 2024-11-14 21:59:11
6 hours ago
Geraldo Rivera branded Matt Gaetz 'rotten' and 'creepy' as he unleashed on Donald Trump's attorney general pick.
Even Republican lawmakers were shocked by the selection, setting up an early loyalty test as the new GOP-controlled Senate plans confirmation hearings.
Gaetz, 42, is under an ethics investigation over claims of sexual misconduct, bribery and drug use - which he denies - and was also the focus of a sex trafficking probe involving a 17-year-old girl.
Former Fox News host host Rivera didn't hold back in his initial reaction to Trump's announcement, alongside a dozen other proposed appointments.
'Matt Gaetz is a douche. So bad for Attorney General. Gross,' he wrote on Twitter.
'In May 2021 this guy was under investigation for sex trafficking a 17-year-old. The DOJ decided not to charge him reportedly because the minor was almost 18.
'He also allegedly asked President Trump for a prospective pardon re: January 6th.'
Gaetz, 42, is under investigation over claims of sexual misconduct, bribery and drug use - which he denies - and was also the focus of a sex trafficking probe involving a 17-year-old girl
Rivera continued his scathing assessment on News Nation, and predicted the Senate would vote to reject him even though it would be packed with Republicans.
'When I heard that Matt Gaetz was picked to be attorney-general, I threw up in my mouth,' he said.
'I think it is a horrible, creepy choice. I have no idea why he did it.'
Host Leland Vittert claimed Rivera's opposition showed Democrats were out of touch with what Americans voted for at the election.
'The fact that all Democrats are doing, yourself included, is talking about how terrible Matt Gaetz is means they're not talking about the things that actually the American people told us in this election they care about,' she said.
Trump-voting American cited their top issues at the election as being the economy, immigration, and abortion - none of which concern the attorney-general.
'Well, as I understand it, President-elect Trump, was absolutely keen on ending the weaponization of the Justice Department,' Rivera replied.
'That guy is the weapon that Trump will use to destroy his enemies in the DOJ, wreck its independence.'
Geraldo Rivera branded Matt Gaetz 'rotten' and 'creepy' as he unleashed on Donald Trump's attorney general pick
This sparked crosstalk between Rivera and Vittert as she pointed out Gaetz never said he believed the DoJ should go after Trump's enemies.
'Matt Gaetz is the epitome of everything that is rotten in Washington. He is someone who is a privileged, entitled, backstabbing,' Rivera continued.
'There's no way the Republicans in the Senate will confirm this man. He'll make the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearing look like a walk in the park. They will dig up everything about him.'
Thomas, 76, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by George HW Bush in 1991 and is by far the longest-tenued justice on the bench, faced two hostile hearings amid allegations of sexual harassment.
Accusations by his former colleague Anita Hill, whose FBI interview was leaked, dominated the hearings that soon took on a racial tone. He was eventually confirmed 52 to 48.
Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to nominate Rep. Gaetz as attorney general to lead reforms at the Department of Justice – the same agency that was investigating him
Gaetz married his wife Ginger Luckey in 2021
While Trump appears to be valuing staunch loyalty as a prerequisite for his choices to key posts over standard qualifications, the choice of Gaetz as the top law enforcement official in the land left many scratching their heads - if not scraping their jaws off the floor.
Republicans who had the Gaetz nomination thrown in their lap – apparently without prior consultation – revealed their shock both through their words and their silence.
Even if Gaetz were to see his nomination falter, the clash could provide cover for other controversial Trump nominees.
Rivera's extreme distate for the Gaetz pick contrasted with his support for Fox News host Pete Hegseth being nominated for defence secretary.
'Bravo Major Pete Hegseth an inspired choice for Defense Secretary,' he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
'Awarded the Bronze Star, he is a combat veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan and strongest in his support of our veterans. RESPECT.'
Rivera's extreme distate for the Gaetz pick contrasted with his support for Fox News host Pete Hegseth (pictured) being nominated for defence secretary
Hegseth's nomination is almost as controversial as Gaetz's as he lacks any political or executive experience, largely just being a media pundit since his retirement from the Army National Guard.
Rivera doubled down on his praise on Wednesday after hearing from defense sources who were less excited.
'I've heard from high ranking Pentagon veterans re: Major Pete Hegseth's lack of experience running an organization-especially one with 3 million employees,' he wrote.
'Fair enough, but this guy has a great heart, strong character, patriotism and courage. He will grow into this tough job.'
