Former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) discussed his next steps in politics and media during an appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on Sunday.

Jan 6, 2022; Washington, DC, USA; Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks to members of the press in front of the Capitol on January 6, 2022, the anniversary of the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

The event, held before an audience of conservative activists and lawmakers, provided a platform for Gaetz to address ongoing speculation about his future.

Gaetz resigned from the House of Representatives last month after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney General.

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Despite his strong pro-Trump stance, Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration after several establishment Republican senators declined to support his nomination.

This development was confirmed by Capitol Hill staffers and members of Trump’s transition team.

Since leaving Congress, Gaetz’s political ambitions have remained a topic of widespread interest.

During his speech at AmericaFest, he acknowledged the speculation directly.

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“You’ve asked which perch I will be fighting from next. And some of you throughout this conference have even given me a few suggestions,” Gaetz told the crowd.

The former Florida congressman referred to reports suggesting he may run for governor of Florida in 2026 when Governor Ron DeSantis completes his term.

He also addressed calls from Trump’s base for him to serve as a Department of Justice-appointed special counsel to investigate alleged federal government corruption, a role he was unable to secure as Attorney General.

“It seems I may not have had enough support in the United States Senate. Maybe I’ll just run for Marco Rubio’s vacant seat in the Senate and join some of those folks,” Gaetz remarked, drawing applause from attendees.

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For now, Gaetz emphasized his desire to stay engaged with the conservative movement outside of elected office.

He invoked a quote from James Madison to highlight the importance of active citizenship, stating, “It was James Madison who said that the most powerful position in America would not be congressman or senator or even president, but that of citizen, because we put such an obligation on the citizenry to ignite the patriotism that the country needs.”

In the immediate future, Gaetz will transition to media, joining the San Diego-based conservative network One America News (OAN).

He will host a primetime show and co-host a video podcast with OAN anchor Dan Ball, host of Real America with Dan Ball.

The podcast, according to OAN, will provide “unfiltered conversations” aimed at engaging younger audiences, including Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X viewers.

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Dan Ball expressed excitement about the collaboration in a statement, saying, “We’ve been big fans of Matt Gaetz from day one. We admire his leadership and authenticity, and we’re confident he’ll really connect with our viewers. It’s an exciting partnership that’s going to take OAN to the next level.”

Gaetz’s blend of political experience and media presence is expected to keep him at the forefront of conservative discourse.

Whether through potential future campaigns or his new media ventures, Gaetz appears poised to remain a prominent figure in the conservative movement.