Former Trump-era White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson has detailed unsettling encounters and inappropriate behavior involving Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) in her forthcoming book, which sheds light on her experiences during her time working within Trump’s circle.
One incident described by Hutchinson reveals that Gaetz, whom she characterizes as “creepy,” engaged in suggestive behavior towards her during a stay at the Camp David retreat.
Hutchinson detailed an incident in which Gaetz lightly touched her chin with his thumb, uttering the words, “Has anyone ever told you you’re a national treasure?”
In another troubling encounter, Gaetz appeared uninvited at her cabin door in the middle of the night at the Camp David presidential retreat and repeatedly asked her to escort him back to his cabin, even though “it’s impossible to get lost” because “all the cabins are clearly marked” in a “circle drive.”
In response to these allegations, Gaetz asserted that he could not recall these incidents and mentioned that he had briefly dated Hutchinson years ago, characterizing their parting as amicable and claiming to maintain a friendship. However, Hutchinson countered this claim by stating that she would “never” consider dating Gaetz.
“I have much higher standards in men, and Matt, frankly, is a very unserious politician,” she told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. “Matt Gaetz, in my opinion, is somebody that I personally do not hold in high regard in terms of trust, and I do not think Matt Gaetz has the best track record for relationships. I don’t really have much else to say to somebody who is much more concerned about a sound bite than actually passing legislation.”
The allegations against Gaetz come amidst a broader backdrop, as he was previously the subject of a lengthy sex trafficking investigation by the Justice Department, stemming from allegations of involvement with a 17-year-old girl and the interstate transportation of that individual. Ultimately, Gaetz was not charged with any crime, with the Justice Department citing credibility concerns with two key witnesses.
Hutchinson, who played a pivotal role as a witness for the House January 6 committee, also used her book to reveal her experiences within the Trump administration, including disturbing accounts involving Rudy Giuliani.
Throughout her book, Hutchinson provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the inner workings of the Trump era, shedding light on incidents that have raised questions about the conduct of individuals associated with the former president.
