Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
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Former Mike Pence aide Marc Short took a shot at Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz on CNN.
Short said he did not think Gaetz “will have an impact” on whether Pence runs — or wins — the presidency in 2024.
“It’s more likely that he’ll be in prison for child sex trafficking by 2024,” Short said.
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s top aide took a swing at embattled Florida congressman Matt Gaetz on Monday.
Pence’s former chief of staff Marc Short suggested that Gaetz would be heading to prison soon due to a federal probe focused on child sex trafficking allegations against him.
The remarks were the latest in a back-and-forth between Trump loyalists and those in the former vice president’s camp that point to a growing divide in the Republican party.
Speaking on Sunday at the right-wing group Turning Point USA’s student conference, Gaetz downplayed Pence’s qualifications as a leader and emphatically stated that “our America is proudly ultra-MAGA.”
“Let me just say what everyone here knows,” Gaetz said. “Mike Pence will never be president.”
In an interview with CNN, Short brushed off the comments and fired back.
“I don’t know if Mike Pence will run for president in 2024, but I dont think Matt Gaetz will have an impact on that — in fact, I’d be surprised if he’s still voting,” Short said. “It’s more likely that he’ll be in prison for child sex trafficking by 2024, and I’m actually surprised that Florida law enforcement still allows him to speak to teenage conferences like that.”
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Short’s comments are particularly surprising in light of how supportive conservative figures have been of Gaetz. For instance, former President Donald Trump even privately autographed a printed copy of a Washington Examiner article on the Gaetz scandal, writing: “Matt, This is Great. Keep fighting – You will WIN!”
However, Short’s position as a former Pence aide might speak to the growing rift between Pence and Trump. Olivia Troye, a former Pence aide, said last week that it is “a known thing in Pence’s orbit” that he intends to run for President.” This would put the former vice president on a direct collision course with his ex-boss, Trump, who has long teased a run in 2024.
Gaetz, however, has remained a steadfast Trump loyalist. Gaetz is being probed by the FBI and the Department of Justice on whether he broke sex trafficking laws and had sexual relations with a minor. The congressman has denied all wrongdoing and has not to date been charged with a crime.
However, the sentencing for Gaetz’s former friend — ex-Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg — has been repeatedly delayed while Greenberg cooperates with investigators, including on the Gaetz investigation.
Rumors have swirled that Gaetz might be implicated in the Greenberg probe, especially after it was reported that the Florida lawmaker sent multiple cash payments via Venmo to Greenberg, one of which was labeled with a “love hotel emoji.” Greenberg then sent the cash payments on to young women with labels like “ass,” “stuff,” “tuition,” and “school.”
The DOJ and Gaetz’s office did not immediately respond to Insider’s requests for comment.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.