Gaetz says McCarthy would be ‘terrific’ RNC chair after ousting him as Speaker: ‘Matt sure knows how to troll’

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who some colleagues thought was a joke, said Wednesday that he supports former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as Republican National Committee chairman.

Gaetz, who led the effort to oust Mr. McCarthy from the House speakership last October, endorsed Mr. McCarthy as a candidate to replace RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel amid reports that she would resign.

“I fully support Kevin McCarthy as RNC Chairman. Kevin is a well-organized and very well-paid fundraiser. He will be well-liked by the RNC Committee. RNC The committee chair does not make any policy decisions or set any agenda, Gaetz wrote on Tuesday.

He responded to The Calvin Coolidge Project, citing sources, claiming that McCarthy is being considered as a “dark horse” candidate to replace McDaniel because of his fundraising ability.

Republicans vying for McCarthy’s seat vow escape plan amid border ‘chaos’: ‘California for Californians’

Asked by Politico about the post, Gaetz reiterated Wednesday that “the tweet speaks for itself.”

Earlier this week, former President Trump met with McDaniel at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. After the meeting, President Trump posted on his Truth Social account that McDaniel is a “friend” but that he would push for changes at the RNC after the South Carolina Republican presidential primary.

“My first thought was that Matt certainly knows how to troll,” Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.) told Politico about Gates’ support for McCarthy. “I thought you were kidding.”

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) also said, “I realized there was some sarcasm in that comment.”

Regardless of Gates’ intentions, other House Republicans from Florida agreed that given McCarthy’s fundraising record, he would make a great RNC chairman.

Republican Rep. Aaron Bean of Florida told Politico that Mr. Gaetz is credited with bringing in “someone with new energy, fresh perspective, and a proven track record as a major fundraiser,” adding that McCarthy He acknowledged that his fundraising support contributed to the increase in approval ratings. He elected. “If you’re looking for someone to build a majority, I think Kevin McCarthy is the guy for you.”

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel is interviewed by Fox News Digital at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on January 22, 2024 in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

President Trump recommends North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Wheatley to replace McDaniel at RNC: Source

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) said McCarthy “did a great job as speaker.”

“That’s interesting,” Díaz-Balart added of Gaetz’s support for McCarthy. “That’s fascinating.”

If McDaniel were to resign, his successor would need approval from 168 RNC committee members.

However, two sources told Fox News Digital that no formal decision will be made at the RNC until after the South Carolina primary on February 24th. But these people said Mr. McDaniel is also focused on ensuring that any future merger between the RNC and the campaigns of potential Republican presidential candidates goes smoothly.

Gaetz led the effort to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House in October. (Andrew Caballero Reynolds/AFP, Al Drago/Bloomberg)

McCarthy represented the same California district from 2007 until he resigned in 2023, making him the first House speaker to be voted out of office. He left Congress in late December, just two months after being ousted from the House speakership after Gaetz orchestrated an unusual vote on a murky motion to resign.

Although Mr. McCarthy maintained support from most Republicans in the House, eight Republican critics ultimately led to Mr. McCarthy’s ouster in October, working with Democrats to temporarily delay the federal government shutdown. He mainly criticized Mr. McCarthy for choosing to do so.

Early last year, Republicans held only a slim lead in the chamber after the predicted “red wave” in the 2022 election failed to materialize.

Click to get the FOX News app

Mr. McCarthy endured several days of internal battles in January 2023 before finally taking over the top job in the House, at a time when deep divisions within the Republican Party were seriously threatening the party’s ability to govern after President Trump left office. It was giving rise to doubts.

FOX News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.