Former Rep. Matt Gaetz was photographed reviewing a document that appears to be a contract draft between Gaetz and a firm affiliated with Trulieve, a major cannabis company worth around $600 million.
The visible portion of the counsel agreement document shows a potential agreement between Gaetz and a firm, in which Gaetz provides “legal representation,” “consulting,” and “administration-related guidance” in lobbying efforts.
It also states that Gaetz would be paid $250,000 if the “MATTER resolves,” as well as an additional “Super Success Fee” for “exclusive policy remedies.” The exact amount of the “Super Success Fee” is cut off, but it begins with a “2,” followed by an unknown number of zeros.
It is unclear what the “matter” and “exclusive policy remedies” mentioned in the document are referring to. However, Trulieve has pushed for many federal reforms in the cannabis industry. In the first three months of 2025, Trulieve contributed $19.6 million in an effort to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow recreational use of marijuana. Trulieve has also made an effort to be in the Trump administration’s good graces, donating $750,000 to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee.
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The photograph of the document was posted under a TikTok of Gaetz on an airplane, which he confirmed was real. “Apparently, someone sitting behind me on a flight recorded me without my knowledge,” Gaetz wrote on X. “They found me texting my mother about news of the day, family finances, and working on my laptop.”
In the texts to his mother, Gaetz wrote about his ability to guide Trump, saying, “guiding DJT always includes a private and public component. I know how to do it.”
While it is unclear exactly what his contractually-obligated “administration-related guidance” will be, the implication is that Gaetz will be using his relationship with Trump to help Trulieve move federal marijuana reform in exchange for financial compensation.
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Gaetz, who resigned from his House position and stepped out of the running to become Trump’s attorney general due to an investigation into child sex trafficking and rape allegations against him, has been a vocal advocate of more progressive cannabis policies. He was one of three Republican members of the House to vote to approve a bill to federally legalize marijuana in 2022, and has expressed support for reclassifying cannabis.
“There is no good reason not to deschedule marijuana,” Gaetz wrote on X.
While the whole contract is obscured by the airplane seats, this could be indicative of Gaetz monetizing his relationship with Trump, and Trulieve paying for a chance to turn federal policy in their favor.