Scandal leaves Rep. Gaetz with few friends

His fellow congressional Republicans have risen as one to defend Matt Gaetz.

Oh, sorry. My bad. Make that two.

Jim Jordan of Ohio — Abbott to Gaetz’s Costello in their Capitol Hill clown act — came through for Matt. Sort of. After Gaetz denied allegations that he had been galivanting with escorts and even a 17-yearold girl, with allusions to orgies and illicit drug use, Jordan managed a four-word tweet: “I believe Matt Gaetz.” Which seemed an understated reaction from the likes of Jordan, whose usual outbursts have been unfettered by propriety, truth or the national interest.

You’d think the pugnacious Jim Jordan, of all people, would have come up with a more defiant defense of his fellow provocateur. But no.

Which left Marjorie Taylor Greene from Planet QAnon as his defender-in-chief. “Take it from me rumors and headlines don’t equal truth. I stand with @mattgaetz,” tweeted the Georgia congresswoman, a propagator of astounding untruths, slanders and conspiracy theories. Not sure that character references from the woman who suggested California wildfires had been ignited by Jewish space lasers can rehabilitate Gaetz’s mucky reputation.

Support was also slow coming from Mar-aLago, although Gaetz had been Donald Trump’s most outlandish congressional defender through two impeachments and an insurrection. Yet, the ex-president kept quiet in the week after The New York Times reported that the FBI has widened an investigation of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg — who faces a slew of federal charges — to include his former best buddy and fellow philanderer. The Times said the FBI is looking into allegations that Greenberg and Gaetz arranged sexual trysts with paid escorts, including a 17-year girl. (Which Gaetz denies.)

It wasn’t until reports surfaced that, during Trump’s final days in office, Gaetz had sought a preemptive pardon for any federal charges that might come his way, that the ex-president finally said something. Not much, but something. His office issued a carefully worded, unTrumpian statement: “Congressman Matt Gaetz has never asked me for a pardon,” adding, like an afterthought, “It must also be remembered that he has totally denied the accusations against him.” Which sounds less like Donald Trump than a political consultant hedging his bets. Because Trump World suspects that the lurid allegations just might be true.

Politico reported this week that “no Trump aide or family member has tweeted about the Florida congressman. Nor have almost any of the most prominent Trump surrogates or Trump-allied conservatives and media personalities.”

Apparently, blind loyalty to Trump is not reciprocal. Besides, that line in Gaetz’s memoir (Number 24,180 in sales on Amazon) has taken on new meaning: “I have an active social life, and it’s probably easier in the era of Trump.” Lately, not even Trump, dogged by sexual misconduct allegations from 25 women, wants to be associated with Gaetz’s “active social life.”

Then came word Thursday that Greenberg had reached a plea deal with the feds and might testify. “I am sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today,” Greenberg’s lawyer ventured.

Poor Matt. After the showboating panhandle congressman with the 10W-40 pompadour spent the last four years in Washington denigrating his colleagues, they’re getting even. The Washington media is suddenly sizzling with reports that Gaetz, like some teenage braggart, regularly showed fellow congressmen nude photos and videos of his carnal encounters. Apparently, his own staffers were also passing around videos from Gaetz’s personal porn collection.

Which triggered memories that Gaetz, back in his days in the Florida Legislature, was one of only two state representatives who voted against a revenge porn bill. Our boy really, really likes to share.

Then came the accusation, from a fellow Florida Republican, that during his three terms as a state representative, party boy Gaetz “created a game where members of the Florida House got ‘points’ for sleeping with aides, interns, lobbyists and married legislators.”

Gaetz denied the sex trafficking allegations with a convoluted claim that the FBI investigation was entangled in a $25 million extortion plot, which he tried to explain to Tucker Carlson, the only Fox News celeb who has broached the scandal. Afterward, Carlson told his viewers “that was one of the weirdest interviews I have ever conducted.”

Not everyone has abandoned Gaetz (who was born in Hollywood). The Women for America First summit this weekend at Trump’s Doral golf club features Gaetz as the keynote speaker. Apparently, other big-name Republicans weren’t willing to share top billing with damaged goods. With one very special exception. The Summit’s other headliner was Marjorie Taylor Greene.