The Next Walter Cronkite? Matt Gaetz Is Now Calling Himself a Journalist

Just 11 days into hosting his new show on the One American News Network (OAN), former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz is already calling himself a journalist.

On Tuesday night, Gaetz, who also dubs himself the "True Florida Man," made the reference in response to a video of his segment about the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center allegedly training police officers on how to handle "involuntary celibate extremism."

"This is absolutely the craziest story I've covered as a journalist," Gaetz proclaimed.

This is absolutely the craziest story I’ve covered as a journalist. https://t.co/iOw2WS8mdF

— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) January 15, 2025

While Gaetz may think his new gig places him alongside esteemed broadcast journalists like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, the internet thought his new title was a bit of a stretch.

"When did Matt Gaetz become a journalist?" Sarah Burris, a writer for news website Raw Story, wanted to know. (Sarah, New Times is wondering the same.)

When did Matt Gaetz become a "journalist?" https://t.co/ThsL1kwNti

— Sarah Burris (@SarahBurris) January 15, 2025

People were quick to point out that he has only worked in "journalism" for less than two weeks.

"So you're a journalist now? 😂😂😂" an X user responded.

So you’re a journalist now? 😂😂😂

— Kirk Dauksch (@KDauksch) January 15, 2025

Another chimed in, "You've been a journalist for three weeks, you turnip."

You’ve been a journalist for 3 weeks, you turnip.

— Carlos Turnbull (@cturnbull1968) January 15, 2025

"You've had a show for like a week," one comment reads. "Calm down, Matt. 😆"

You’ve had a show for like a week. Calm down, Matt. 😆

— Liberty Shindig (@LibertyShindig) January 15, 2025

The former congressman quickly became the laughing stock after his bold claim.

"As a journalist," a user wrote. "😂 Catherine Herridge is a journalist. Oriana Fallaci was a journalist. I know journalists. And you, sir...are no journalist."

As a journalist. 😂 Catherine Herridge is a journalist. Oriana Fallaci was a journalist. I know journalists. And you, sir...are no journalist.

— Deborah Corso (@ViadelCorso2266) January 15, 2025

One person declared, "And this is absolutely the craziest tweet I've read that you're a journalist 🤣."

And this is absolutely the craziest tweet I've read that you're a journalist 🤣

— Mario Quijano (@dsgnr4hire) January 15, 2025

Unfortunately for Gaetz, the internet also came to criticize his Botox, makeup, and eyebrows.

"You're not a journalist," a user commented. "You're a talk show host like Hannity but with worse Botox."

You're not a journalist

You're a talk show host

Like Hannity

but with worse Botox https://t.co/su4wdndaq0

— kj martin - (@martin_kj) January 15, 2025

One person added, "The makeup 💀💀💀."

The make up 💀💀💀

— Alice Inwonderland 🇺🇸 (@Alice39900212) January 15, 2025

"You honestly look like a cartoon," another asserted.

You honestly look like a cartoon…

— Bobo Brasi (@RealBobo697) January 15, 2025

Gaetz often mesmerizes viewers with his eyebrows.

"His eye brows are doing more talking than his mouth," a user pointed out. "Did he get his eyebrows groomed this way or are they natural [?] I'm being distracted by those brows. 🤨🤣🥸🤣"

His eye brows are doing more talking than his mouth . Did he get his eyebrows groomed this way or are they natural I’m being distracted by those brows . 🤨🤣🥸🤣

— JUSTSORIZZO (@justsorizzo) January 15, 2025

And, of course, he couldn't escape the U.S. House Ethics Committee report concluding that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl and routinely paid for sex and drugs.

"Fortunately, you're not a journalist," one comment reads. "Matt, you're just an Anglo peasant who loves cocaine."

Fortunately you're not a journalist, Matt, you're just an Anglo peasant who loves cocaine.

— PADOLF PUPLER (@bongo_masheen) January 15, 2025