CNN is often very critical of Florida “firebrand” Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, but he managed a little revenge late last week.
Gaetz, who has floated the idea of becoming a media personality in the future, took a guest-hosting slot on Newsmax TV and destroyed his CNN competitor, Anderson Cooper, in the Friday timeslot, according to viewership ratings.
In fact, his was the only show on Newsmax to beat out CNN.
Matt guest-hosted the 10 p.m. hour on Newsmax while Greg Kelly was out and easily bested the legacy cable network.
“You’re on the right channel. If you’re confused, your eyes are not failing you, and Greg Kelly did not suddenly get better hair,” he said to open the segment.
“I’m Matt Gaetz. Thanks for joining us on Greg Kelly Reports. Greg has the night off and I have the biggest stories driving Washington, D.C. right now,” he added.
The ratings for the 10 pm hour on Friday:
- 1st: Fox News 1.22million
- 2nd: MSNBC 922,000
- 3rd: Newsmax 282,000
- 4th: CNN: 249,000
During the show, Gaetz called out the FBI and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
“The FBI is refusing to turn over documents to Rep James Comer on the financial corruption of the Biden Crime Family.
“I’ve long said that Congress needs to use the power of the subpoena and the power of the purse. I now believe we have to use the power of contempt,” he said.
“If a majority of Republicans are against a piece of legislation, and you use Democrats to pass it, that would immediately be a black letter violation of the deal we had with McCarthy, and it would likely trigger an immediate motion to vacate,” the Florida Republican added.
Indeed, on Wednesday, House Oversight Committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.) declared the panel would move to hold FBI Director Wray in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over a subpoenaed document related to the ongoing probe into potential corruption involving then-Vice President Joe Biden.
Matt Gaetz beat CNN in the ratings while guest-hosting Newsmax’s 10pm hour on Friday:
• 1st: Fox News 1.22million
• 2nd: MSNBC 922,000
• 3rd: Newsmax 282,000
• 4th: CNN: 249,000 https://t.co/tEMm3cgRAu pic.twitter.com/d87a31YoeX— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) May 31, 2023