Wall Street Journal Slams Trump Over Gaetz Nomination: ‘Big on Bravado, Short on Ideas’

Donald Trump received a pointed critique from the Wall Street Journal on Friday in the form of a snarky editorial video urging the president-elect to reassess his decision-making after his controversial nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general.

Set to ominous background music, the video delivers a stern warning: Trump needs to learn from his missteps. The editorial underscores its message with sharp commentary and visuals aimed at the president-elect’s recent choices.

“Not all allegations against Republicans are partisan shams,” the narrator states, addressing Trump directly. “Take your lead from people who know, not MAGA Twitter insurgents.” The camera zooms in on a smiling Sen. Mitch McConnell, emphasizing the GOP’s ability to protect its own from unfounded accusations—but only when warranted.

The video pivots to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, with the narrator noting Republicans’ willingness to defend even “their unpopular colleagues,” underscoring the limits of party loyalty. Gaetz, whose nomination imploded after Republican senators balked at confirming a candidate accused of sexual misconduct involving a minor, becomes a focal point for the editorial’s critique.

“There was a reason few, if any, Republicans rushed to Mr. Gaetz’s defense,” the narrator quips. “They know him.” The editorial culminates with a lesson for Trump: the distinction between capable leaders and political liabilities. Over an image of a grinning Gaetz alongside Rep. Lauren Boebert sticking her tongue out, the narrator delivers a biting conclusion: “There’s a bright line between a candidate who is aggressive, committed, and professional and one who is unthinking, partisan, and a liability.”

In a rare moment of approval, the Journal commends Trump for selecting Linda McMahon as head of the Education Department and Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, though even these acknowledgments are laced with irony. McMahon, a former WWE executive, has faced criticism for alleged cover-ups of misconduct, casting a shadow over her appointment.

The editorial draws a sharp contrast between Gaetz and what it deems suitable candidates. “Gaetz was always clearly the latter,” the narrator says. “Big on bravado, short on ideas.” The Wall Street Journal’s critique underscores the challenges Trump faces in balancing loyalty to his base with the broader party’s need for qualified, uncontroversial leadership—an issue that continues to define his transition process.