Matt Gaetz and a spokesman for Donald Trump reacted angrily late Sunday after CNN reported that the scandal-stricken Republican congressman in Florida was seeking a meeting with the former U.S. president when allegations of sex trafficking and illegal drug use were first reported. – and was rejected.
CNN quoted two anonymous sources who “said that Gaetz wanted to plan a visit with Trump after it was first revealed that he was being investigated.” It is said ‘the request was rejected by assistants near the former president’.
The New York Times first reported federal investigations into Gaetz on March 30. Since then, Congressman has committed several times to an ally in Florida who is charged with sex trafficking and other crimes, but is reportedly close to an agreement with prosecutors.
Gaetz is reportedly being investigated for possible sex trafficking with a 17-year-old girl; because he allegedly paid for sex; for alleged use of illegal drugs; and because they allegedly showed House members nude photos of women.
He denies all charges. The Times also reported that by the end of Trump’s time in power, Gaetz was looking for a lid on voluntary forgiveness. Trump has denied receiving such a request.
In response to the CNN report, Trump’s spokesman, Jason Miller, tweeted: “This story is complete fake news. No such schedule or meeting request has ever been made and therefore it could never have been refused. Note that this story has no sources on the record. It was literally made up. We demand a complete withdrawal. ‘
Trump and his aides and supporters regularly complain about stories using anonymous sources – a common practice in American media.
Over the weekend, Republicans and donors gathered for events in Florida. According to reports on Trump’s remarks Saturday night at Mar-a-Lago, he did not mention Gaetz when he thanked supporters, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Gaetz spoke at a Trump golf course Friday. He told a pre-Trump women’s group ‘truth will prevail’, adding: ‘I know that. Firearms do not retreat, especially if the fight for the soul of our country is invested. ”
On Twitter, Gaetz called the CNN report “a total lie. I’m on a pre-planned vacation with my fiancé. I was welcomed to Trump Doral days ago. No such meeting was denied or requested. ”
But according to the CNN report, Gaetz sought a meeting “after it first came to light that he was being investigated”. An anonymous source was also quoted as saying that the former president’s assistants were “under the impression that Gaetz had left. [to Florida this weekend] to try to run into Trump or people around him ”.
Leading Republicans still distance themselves from Gaetz, one consultant who even says a “10ft pole is not long enough” for Trump.
On Sunday, Liz Cheney, a member of the House Republican leadership and a target of attacks by Gaetz, told CBS the allegations were “sick”, but did not ask Gaetz to resign. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, told the same network that she preferred to continue an investigation into the ethics of the house.