Martina Navratilova rips into Matt Gaetz after Donald Trump's former AG pick accused of paying for sex, using drugs

Tennis great Martina Navratilova has condemned Republican politician Matt Gaetz after a House Ethics Committee report found that there was evidence that Gaetz had paid women, including a then-17-year-old girl at a party in 2017, for sexual activity while in office. The 42-page draft report also claimed that Gaetz, a former Representative from Florida, had been using illegal drugs in office.

Notably, US President-elect Donald J. Trump declared Gaetz to be his Attorney General. Many, including those from the Republican party, opposed the move, citing ongoing investigations against him over misconduct allegations.

Gaetz later withdrew his nomination, citing that it was becoming a distraction for the incoming president.

The Ethics Committee after its probe on Gatez concluded (via CNBC), "There was substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, acceptance of impermissible gifts, the provision of special favors and privileges, and obstruction of Congress."

Martina Navratilova, who regularly comments on political affairs in the US, also weighed in amid an online outcry.

The 18-time Grand Slam winner responded to an X account, Everything with Terri, which claimed the allegations against Gaetz had been "debunked."

"Nothing has been debunked," Navratilova responded to the post. "Try again, excusing criminal behavior"

Meanwhile, Gaetz has defended himself against the allegations, saying:

"In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated - even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court."

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Martina Navratilova is a vocal critic of US President-elect Donald Trump

In US politics, Navratilova opposes the Republican Party and supports the Democrats. - Source: Getty

Martina Navratilova, who endorsed Kamala Harris in the last US presidential election, made it very clear that she is not a fan of the president-elect Donald Trump, whom she has previously described as an "idiot" and "bully." She has also indicated that the incoming US president has dictatorial tendencies.

After Trump was declared the winner of the election, Navratilova posted on X:

"Well, Trump won. Fear and anger won. And a country that was born as a racist patriarchy proved beyond any reasonable doubt it still is a racist patriarchy. Not sure when this ceases to be true."

The tennis champion has also criticized Trump's cabinet picks, describing it as an "oligarchy."