Ronna McDaniel: Gaetz 'wasn't going to win a congeniality contest'

Former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel said former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), President-elect Trump's pick for attorney general, did the right thing in withdrawing from consideration for the position after it became clear he would not be confirmed by the Senate.

"He came here, he started meeting with senators and they started doing the math," McDaniel said of Gaetz's effort to win Senate votes for confirmation during an appearance on CNN as the news was breaking. "This was dominating the news, there was the drip drip, and it was becoming a distraction."

Gaetz's personality was a liability for Trump, McDaniel suggested, saying "a lot of people" agree with his decision to withdraw.

"It was hard for some of these senators. ... He wasn't winning a congeniality contest," she said. "And then he suddenly was in a position where he needed to say I need your support and your vote."

Gaetz said he had “excellent meetings” with senators on Wednesday, but announced “it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.”

McDaniel said Gaetz is "unequivocally loyal" to Trump, who praised the former GOP rep's decision to withdraw on Thursday.

“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!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social website.