Matt Gaetz, the controversial former congressman and outspoken Trump ally, has found himself once again in the headlines—not for politics or scandal, but for accidentally unveiling a lucrative deal connecting him to the booming cannabis industry. A recent leak exposed that Gaetz stands to earn millions by leveraging his close ties to former President Donald Trump for a major marijuana company, Trulieve.
The revelation emerged from photos of documents left visible on Gaetz’s laptop, shared by a TikTok user who also captured snippets of a real-time text exchange between Gaetz and his mother. The contract outlines an agreement offering Gaetz upwards of $2 million to provide “legal representation, consulting, and administration-related guidance” for Trulieve, America’s second-largest marijuana company with a valuation of approximately $660 million.
While specific details remain vague, the mention of “administration-related guidance” hints at Gaetz using his connections within Trump’s inner circle to potentially influence federal cannabis policy. This aligns with Gaetz’s past public efforts advocating the reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III, a move Trump endorsed during his presidency to some extent, promoting research and safe-banking reforms without fully legalizing cannabis federally.
The leaked contract further reveals a $250,000 payment contingent upon resolving an unspecified “matter” and an additional substantial “Super Success Fee,” suggesting significant financial upside tied to policy successes or other major milestones for Trulieve. Gaetz confirmed the authenticity of the videos showing his texts with his mother, who cautioned him against criticizing Trump publicly, emphasizing the political risks of dissent within the MAGA movement.
This development underscores how influential figures connected to Trump may capitalize on their relationships amidst shifting national conversations on cannabis policy. Gaetz, once a rising star tapped by Trump as a potential attorney general nominee, saw his political career severely damaged by serious allegations involving sex and drugs, which he vehemently denies. Despite these controversies, Gaetz has persisted in remaining a vocal figure in MAGA circles, now also reportedly tapping into the cannabis sector’s expanding market.
Until now, Gaetz had not disclosed any ties to Trulieve or other cannabis companies in public op-eds or statements where he championed marijuana policy reform. The new disclosure raises ethical questions about transparency and the possibility of undisclosed financial interests influencing political advocacy.
As cannabis legalization debates continue to evolve rapidly across states and at the federal level, Gaetz’s unexpected business dealings offer a glimpse into the complex entanglement between politics, personal gain, and emerging industries. Whether this episode affects his public standing or triggers further scrutiny remains to be seen, but it clearly highlights the lucrative opportunities—and pitfalls—that come with proximity to powerful political figures in today’s landscape.
