Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz is set to join One America News Network (OAN) as an anchor, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to CNN.
The move marks a significant addition for the far-right network, which has struggled to maintain viewership and distribution since being dropped by major cable providers.
Gaetz, a Republican known for his staunch support of Donald Trump and controversial pronouncements, announced last month that he would not be seeking re-election to Congress. He had also previously withdrawn his name from consideration for Attorney General after President-elect Trump indicated he lacked the necessary Senate support.
While OAN President Charles Herring declined to comment on the reported hiring, the addition of Gaetz represents a coup for the network. Most of OAN’s on-air personalities lack widespread recognition, and the network has faced significant challenges in recent years. Its programming has been dropped by DirecTV and other major distributors, forcing OAN to rely heavily on online streaming.
OAN has cultivated a reputation as one of the most extreme pro-Trump news outlets, frequently promoting baseless conspiracy theories and providing a platform for unsubstantiated claims supporting the former president. The network’s close collaboration with Russian operatives on a pro-Trump documentary during his first impeachment further solidified its controversial image.
Gaetz himself has faced considerable scrutiny. He withdrew his name from consideration for Attorney General amidst bipartisan calls for the release of a House Ethics Committee report investigating allegations of sexual misconduct and other potential crimes. Gaetz has consistently denied these allegations, including accusations of having sex with a minor.
Since leaving Congress, Gaetz has leveraged his public profile by selling personalized video messages through the Cameo platform.
