Shilling You Softly: Matt Gaetz Is Selling Videos on Cameo

Florida's most controversial ex-congressman is back in the spotlight, having traded the political arena for the online celebrity marketplace — in the midst of a tabloid-worthy scandal that recently chewed the news-cycle scenery for an entire Scaramucci.

Yes, friends, newly minted ex-U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has joined Cameo, where he is now shilling personalized video messages to stans willing to pay considerable sums of money for them.

We're told the pros call this a pivot.

Gaetz follows in the digital footsteps of former politicians George Santos, Lauren Boebert, and even Sarah Palin, who've buffed Cameo's reputation as a retirement gig for political firebrands.

Unlike Boebert, however, Gaetz didn't join to connect with voters ahead of the next election cycle. Instead, he's out of Congress and fresh from a media circus that ended with him pulling out as Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. attorney general.

A personalized message from Gaetz costs $525 — nearly double what Boebert charges.

Gaetz promises "sharp takes, humor, and the Gaetz charm" in videos that average 90 seconds and expedited 24-hour delivery for an undisclosed extra fee if you're pressed for time.

Gaetz isn't shy about branding himself as a headline magnet: His Cameo bio hits the high notes — and only the high notes. "I served in Congress. Trump nominated me to be US Attorney General (that didn’t work out). Once I fired the House Speaker."

MATT GAETZ ON CAMEO: "I know you were bummed out when the news broke that I wouldn't be the next Attorney General." pic.twitter.com/k27sTZ9CND

— Helen Caddes 🔥 (@helencaddes) November 23, 2024

In a video making the rounds on social media, Gaetz lavishes praise on the former president and current president-elect Donald Trump, while attempting to soothe the disappointment of a loyal supporter over his withdrawal from consideration as U.S. AG.

"It's your favorite former congressman, Matt Gaetz," he begins, channeling the kind of over-the-top cheer you'd expect from a Disney character on too much espresso. "I just wanted to thank you for being a longtime patriot, for supporting President Trump through thick and thin."

Smooth talker that he is, he goes on: "We did get a great replacement in Pam Bondi. She's going to do an awesome job, You have nothing to worry about."

Of course, it wouldn't be a Gaetz performance without a heavy dose of optimism, Trump-style.

"We've got the house, we've got the Senate, we've got Donald Trump in the presidency. We're gonna actually fix the problems, secure the border, clean up our streets, get the economy roaring again," he says, channeling High School Football Coach Rallying Losing Team straight out of Central Casting.
For diehard fans or detractors eager for a one-on-one exchange, Gaetz also accepts direct messages through Cameo for a smaller fee. However, there's a limit to how much he can cash in on his outspoken persona.

Federal ethics rules cap outside income for members of Congress, but because Gaetz is no longer in office, he's free to take in whatever his audience is willing to pay.

Patrons can ask for anything from motivational wisdom to scathing satire. Want him to riff on an inside joke or channel his controversial soundbites? That's fair game. Just be sure to, as the platform states, "get creative with your request."

In his post-congressional life, Gaetz's move to Cameo signals a pivot from legislation to self-promotion. Be it a birthday roast or a political endorsement (his terms), Gaetz aims to keep his brand alive, one video message at a time.