Matt Gaetz 'working the phones,' talking to GOP senators despite tough confirmation issues

Former Republican Matt Gaetz of Florida, whom President-elect Trump has announced as his second-term attorney general pick, is making calls to Senate Republicans ahead of his confirmation hearing next year.

Several GOP senators told reporters this week that they had spoken to Gaetz by phone since Trump nominated him to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ).

A familiar source told Fox News Digital that the former congressman is “committed to winning senatorial support for his nomination as attorney general,” noting that he has been “working the phones.”

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Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said Monday night that he had spoken with Gaetz in the past few days. “You called me.” “A very short conversation.”

The senator would not disclose any additional information about their call. Mullin and Gaetz have had a tense relationship in the past, and the senator criticized him during an interview with him, and alleged that he had slept with a young girl.

“There is a reason why no one came to defend him at the conference because we all saw the videos he was showing on the House floor…the girls he was sleeping with. He was bragging about how he was going to crush them. [erectile dysfunction] the drug and chases it with a strong drink so that it goes all night,” he said at the time.

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Mullin and Gaetz had a tense relationship. (Tom Williams/Al Drago)

Gaetz denied what Mullin said when he did it. Gaetz has not been convicted of any charges related to the allegations. He was previously under investigation for a year by the DOJ due to allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a minor. However, the DOJ ultimately decided not to file any charges.

The comments came as former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted, and Gaetz was partially praised.

Mullin recently said on NBC's “Meet the Press” that the Senate should “absolutely” have access to the House Ethics report that investigated allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and receiving improper gifts.

Not every Republican senator has agreed to go that far, with many unclear whether senators should or will see the report during confirmation hearings.

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Hawley said he spoke with Gaetz. (AP)

Mullin, who is Trump's best friend in the Senate, said he has never spoken to the president-elect about Gaetz's selection.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., also said he spoke with Gaetz. “We had a great conversation with Matt Gaetz over the weekend,” he said Monday. “He wants to get a chance to clear his name in court. And I think that's a good idea.”

“And I think we should be heard. I think we should move on it as quickly as possible in the new Congress.”

“One night, before I left for the weekend, I don't know at 10:30 or 11, I got a call from Congressman Gaetz, and I congratulated him, he said, 'I'm going to get a good shake up in the Senate?'” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said.

“And I said, 'Sure. Just come, answer all the questions, tell us the truth, tell us what your plans are for the agency, and I'm looking forward to it, and I hope you are too.' “

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Kennedy said Gaetz called him. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Kennedy said the conversation was quick and that the two have no plans to meet in person at the moment.

A familiar source told Fox News Digital that Vice President-elect JD Vance plans to make the rounds on Capitol Hill this week, scheduling meetings with key Republican senators and Trump Cabinet appointees, Gaetz and Pete Hegseth, the president-elect's nominee to run the Department of Defense (DOD.)

“The incoming administration of President Trump is moving on an accelerated schedule to make good on confirming key nominees to begin delivering for the American people. Rep. Collins (VA), Rep. Gaetz (DOJ), Pete Hegseth (DOD), and Rep. Stefanik (UN ) will all begin their meetings this week with additional visits by Hill that will continue after the Thanksgiving break,” Brian Hughes, Trump-Vance Transition spokesman, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Gaetz faces an uphill battle when it comes to potential Senate confirmation, as it would take a handful of Republican votes to deny him. The Senate GOP will only have a 53-member majority next year and several GOP senators have expressed concern about Gaetz.

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“He will never be confirmed,” the Republican senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Fox News Digital after Trump's selection was revealed.

One Senate Republican source simply said, “It's not going to happen,” about the prospect of Gaetz's confirmation.