Kevin McCarthy Says ‘I Don’t Hang Around with Pedophiles’ When Asked If He’s Made Amends with Matt Gaetz

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he has no intention of making up with Rep. Matt Gaetz after the Florida lawmaker led the effort to oust McCarthy from his post last year.

Gaetz filed a motion to vacate the chair in October 2023, which triggered a vote of the House on whether to remove McCarthy as speaker. Eight Republicans voted for removal, joining all Democrats in doing so. The small GOP mutiny was enough to end McCarthy’s tenure. It took Republicans three weeks to settle on a successor.

Gaetz has said publicly he moved against McCarthy because the speaker broke pledges he made to do away with continuing resolutions in favor of single-subject spending bills. McCarthy, however, claims Gaetz wanted him to quash a House Ethics Committee probe examining whether Gaetz had sexual relations with a minor.  In January, the Daily Beast reported that Gaetz privately told colleagues he was motivated by the ethics investigation.

Appearing on the PBD Podcast , McCarthy discussed the drama with host Patrick Bet-David .

The ex-speaker pointed to court filings unsealed last week in which witnesses testified that Gaetz was at a drug-fueled party that was attended by a 17-year-old.

“Everything I said has come to fruition,” McCarthy stated. “It’s unfortunate that one person would utilize something to stop what was coming after them and disrupt the entire Congress.”

“How is the relationship now?” Bet-David asked. “Because I know I saw you guys at the RNC where he walked up to you while you’re talking to somebody. ‘You wouldn’t be on the stage, you would be booed’ or something like that. Are you guys better know or–

“No!” McCarthy said. “I don’t hang around with pedophiles, I’m sorry.”

The Department of Justice investigated Gaetz, but ultimately declined to prosecute.

Watch above via Patrick Bet-David .