Matt Gaetz in Negotiations to Join Law Firm of Democratic Megadonor

Gaetz has been a longtime friend of John Morgan, a prominent trial lawyer.

The position at Morgan & Morgan would mark a high-profile move for Matt Gaetz, who resigned from the House after withdrawing from the race to become Donald Trump's attorney general. | Dominic Gwinn/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Matt Gaetz may be adding a second role to his career.

In an exclusive interview with POLITICO, prominent Florida megadonor John Morgan confirmed that he is in active discussions with the former Republican lawmaker about joining his firm, Morgan & Morgan. This potential job would be in addition to Gaetz’s recently announced role as a prime-time host for One America News Network, starting in January.

John Morgan Praises Matt Gaetz and Considers Professional Collaboration

John Morgan, the prominent Florida megadonor, praised Matt Gaetz for his stances on issues such as marijuana legalization, property insurance, and processed foods.

“A lot of the things that align with my politics, Matt Gaetz’s politics align with as well,” said Morgan, who, despite being a major Democratic donor, is registered as a no-party affiliated voter in Florida.

Morgan suggested that Gaetz could be helpful in a recent lawsuit filed by his firm, which accuses major food companies of deliberately making their products addictive and marketing them to children, contributing to widespread chronic illness.

In a text exchange, Gaetz confirmed that he and Morgan had discussed the possibility of professional collaboration, expressing gratitude for their long-standing friendship.

“I’ve known John Morgan for more than a decade,” Gaetz said. “I’ve taken a lot of advice from him on matters of law, policy, and politics. I have great respect for how he stands up to the powerful on behalf of his clients — and he wins.”

A key moment in their relationship came shortly after Governor Ron DeSantis won his first election in 2018. DeSantis became involved in an ongoing legal battle over medical marijuana, where Morgan had sued the state for not allowing smokable marijuana for patients. The three men held a press conference in January 2019, during which the newly elected governor called on lawmakers to lift the ban on smokable marijuana — a move they enacted shortly afterward.

Morgan Reveals Gaetz Initiated Press Conference on Medical Marijuana

John Morgan later told POLITICO that the press conference was actually "initiated" by Matt Gaetz.

As one of Florida's most influential political figures, Morgan has played a key role in financing initiatives such as the legalization of medical marijuana and the raise in Florida’s minimum wage. He has maintained strong connections with various politicians, including hiring former Governor Charlie Crist after he left office in 2011.

Morgan has also hinted at a potential run for office in the past and is widely recognized across the country for his law firm’s high-profile advertisements, which can be seen on billboards and public transportation.

The position at Morgan & Morgan would be a high-profile opportunity for Gaetz, who resigned from the House after withdrawing from consideration to become Trump’s attorney general. This move came shortly before the House Ethics Committee was set to meet regarding an investigation into allegations against him involving illegal drug use and sexual relations with a 17-year-old.

Gaetz Denies Allegations, Eyes Political Future Amid Potential Job Offer

Matt Gaetz has denied the allegations against him, and a Department of Justice investigation concluded with no charges. However, the accusations quickly overshadowed his confirmation process, leading Gaetz to step away from public service altogether.

The former congressman has been floated as a possible Republican candidate for governor in 2026, a race that has become more unpredictable with numerous Floridians appointed to Trump’s administration. Gaetz has already aligned himself with critics like Morgan, accusing the GOP-controlled Legislature of caving to the property insurance industry when it passed a law signed by DeSantis that makes it harder to sue insurers.

Gaetz, a William & Mary law graduate, previously worked at a law firm with Larry Keefe, a trial attorney who would later become a U.S. attorney under Trump before serving as DeSantis’ “public safety czar.”

Morgan said the specifics of Gaetz’s potential role at Morgan & Morgan are still being discussed, though he’s waiting for the dust to settle on Gaetz’s new TV position. Morgan described his firm as hiring “finders, minders, and grinders,” with Gaetz potentially fitting the “finder-minder” role at a “36,000-foot” level, rather than in the day-to-day operations.

Morgan also pointed to his firm’s collaboration with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services Secretary, to host a seminar in East Palestine, Ohio, after a hazardous train derailment.

“I know he’s controversial,” Morgan said of Gaetz, “but I’m fucking controversial.”