Trump News Live: Matt Gaetz reveals what he thinks of Pam Bondi replacing him as pick for Attorney General

Matt Gaetz has hailed Pam Bondi, his successor as Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General.

Gaetz dropped out on Thursday and was quickly replaced by Bondi.

In a statement on X, Gaetz said:

Pam Bondi is a stellar selection by President Trump for Attorney General. Pam and I worked closely together when she was Florida's Attorney General and I chaired Criminal Justice in the state house.

She's a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all Americans. She will bring the needed reforms to DOJ.

Dana White was a quasi-permanent fixture on Donald Trump's campaign trial as he threw his full support behind the Republican candidate in his bid to seek re-election.

The UFC president, who is close friends with the 78-year-old, has been such an ardent supporter that he even stole the limelight during Trump's victory celebrations at Mar-a-Lago after beating Kamala Harris at the ballot box.

But now that Trump has sealed his return to the White House, the UFC chief wants nothing to do with the president-elect's second term - or politics at all.

Donald Trump moved quickly to find a new candidate for attorney general on Thursday, announcing the former Florida A.G. Pam Bondi as his pick to head the nation's legal system.

Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration earlier in the day when it became clear that a lingering scandal meant he did not have the votes to be confirmed in the Senate.

'Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on violent criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families,' Trump posted on Truth Social as he made the announcement.

Insiders said the charm offensive went well.

Matt Gaetz spent Wednesday in Washington, D.C., with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance meeting 10 key Republican senators he would need to secure his confirmation as Donald Trump's controversial attorney general.

'Feedback from the senators on the meetings was very positive,' said a source close to Vance.

And a day earlier Trump had made clear he had no plan B if it came to a test of strength. 'No,' he told a reporter when asked whether he was reconsidering his choice.

But that all unraveled spectacularly on Thursday, when Gaetz announced he was withdrawing from consideration amid the fallout from a federal sex trafficking investigation.