'Bond villain #1 is out': Matt Gaetz withdrawal greeted with relief and joy

An abrupt decision by embattled ex-Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to withdraw from consideration to be Donald Trump's attorney general was greeted with a mixture of glee and relief on Thursday afternoon.

Moments before CNN was set to report on a second tryst between the Florida Republican and a 17-year-old female, Gaetz pulled the plug on his nomination by writing on X: "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America."

Needless to say, many political observers had a few things to say about the Gaetz pull-out.

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On BlueSky, law professor and author Jen Traub announced, "Gaetz drops out. One done, many to go."

"Is this the first time Gaetz has pulled out?" comedian Lizz Winstead quipped.

Journalist Roxane Gay assured her followers, "You know that report is real bad. I hope it gets leaked. In any case Gaetz f----- himself into unemployment," before adding, "Some of y’all are unable to enjoy even small wins. It’s okay to just be glad something deserved and punishing happened to someone terrible."

Ex-Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) proclaimed, "Bond villain #1 is out."

Another ex-House Republican and colleague of Gaetz, Denver Riggleman (R-VA), wrote, "Going to take a victory lap here on Matt Gaetz. Last night I said that once investigators started breaking down his 'pay for sex' financial network he was screwed and dead in the water. Out! And it happened today. Data is the million pound s--thammer."

Noted legal expert Laurence Tribe contributed, "GAETZ WITHDRAWS: Because anyone else Trump picks as his loyal consigliere AG will give off a less horrid stench than Gaetz — and will be less widely despised on the Hill — it’s especially important that Gaetz 2.0 be carefully and skeptically vetted by the Senate."

Popular NYTpitchbot served up: "Martha-Ann Alito has lowered her 'Stop the Steal' flag to half-mast to mourn the failure of Matt Gaetz's nomination."

With Trump jumping on Truth Social to write, "I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance joked, "Blah, blah, blah."

"Matt Gaetz’s nomination was nine-elevenths of a Scaramucci," wrote David Gura of Bloomberg News.

American Prospect editor David Dayen observed: "Hilariously he's already resigned so House Republicans have to be down a seat for months, for no reason."

"Attorney General Matt Gaetz has brought down his first and last sex criminal, Attorney General Matt Gaetz," wrote comedian Josh Gondelman.