Did you see that the former US Rep. Matt Gaetz, who lasted less than Scaramucci as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to open the Department of Justice, has a new side hustle? He is currently offering a special video for his fans on the Cameo website.
I mean, why not? Politicians have mastered the art of selling themselves. And Gaetz is now unemployed, having decided not to return to Congress even if he is re-elected this month.
It seems almost strange that 35 years ago, former President Reagan raised eyebrows when he received $2 million for two speeches in Japan shortly after leaving office. At the time, a dismayed Chicago Tribune columnist wrote that the news “assaulted his nostrils with the force of week-old sushi.”
It turns out that the Gipper is a trailblazer. Today, except for St. Jimmy Carter, who once said, “We give money. We don’t take it,” all former cash presidents in office. It’s not like the president’s salary is rich!
In the Cameo, Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration for Trump’s Cabinet amid allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl (which he denies), will make a one-minute video message to anyone willing to pay $500. .
That’s on the high side for Cameo, where a message from, say, former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin can be for $199, from former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich for $100, and from Anthony Scaramucci – the Mooch himself – for $59. Former New York Republican Rep. George Santos, a convicted fraudster who was expelled from Congress, ordered $250. Even U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert made a brief appearance, charging $250 and up, before her team realized it might violate congressional ethics laws. Go figure.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has offered his services on Cameo for the past few years, is not available right now, but you can send a message for $19.99 or watch some videos he recorded before he bowed out. A highlight of the visit to this site is watching Giuliani woodly read the nursery rhyme “I’m a little teacup” to a boy named Tim.
Gaetz’s opening remarks on Cameo were short and to the point: “I served in Congress. Trump nominated me to be US Attorney General (which he didn’t). I once fired the Speaker of the House.” (That dig at former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the latest in an ongoing war of words, may have paid off, as McCarthy recently stated that “everyone knows” Gaetz will not be confirmed by the Senate.)
In any case, Gaetz is at your service for birthdays, anniversaries, promotions and conversations.
Here is part of what he said to a couple named Jack and Grace:
“I like to get married. I was married when I was about four years old. And marriage is an extraordinary institution because you have to have, like, a specialization of skills. Here’s what I mean: For me, booking an airline ticket is a scene from hell, right? You have to have all the numbers, you have to go through all the windows. My husband is a total wizard at this stuff. Then I learned that in the house there are some things that are best, such as taking out the garbage, washing the dishes, killing insects, cleaning the house. Even if you think about it, he really used me as a maid. But I’ll do that, and marriage, you know, you just get the rewards and the satisfaction, so I wish you all the happiness in the world.
For a newlywed, you’d think they’d have something more fun or romantic.
I admit, I don’t know the impulse to be addressed in a video by a famous person I have never met and that probably would not give me time if I met someone on the street. I seem to lack the starstruck gene.
My work has involved interviewing famous people from all walks of life – Hollywood, Washington, etc. When I’m not on the clock, the general wisdom is to ignore celebrities every bit as much as they ignore me. I once cringed years ago when I saw Donald Sutherland walking down a foggy Santa Monica beach one winter morning and casually said, “Well, look at you!”
Sometimes, I can approach famous people if they are related.
This happened last spring at Starbucks in Malibu, when I introduced myself to Caitlyn Jenner, whose ghostwriter once engaged a close friend of mine. Trump’s endorsements on social media have gone viral. She is pleasant and chatty. Oh, and they’ll record a Cameo video just for you for $2,500.
At a time when trans people are being vilified by MAGA Republicans trying to score political points with language, I find it refreshing that one Caitlyn Jenner is worth five Matt Gaetzes.
Blue sky: @rabcarian.bsky.social. Thread: @rabcarian
