Matt Gaetz says it's OK if Kevin McCarthy is duplicitous because what really matter to the GOP is how much money he can raise

Gaetz said that what the GOP cares about is McCarthy's ability to raise money.

Gaetz said that the covenant was based on money. Kevin McCarthy is the most eliteraiser in the history of the Republican caucus. He is a lobbyist and a contributor to a political action committee. That is his agreement with the conference.

Gaetz said that the House GOP's past leaders weren't honest.

Gaetz said that John Boehner lied to them. Paul Ryan kept lying to us. We thought we'd get the great truth-teller first. Boehner and Ryan weren't reachable for comment.

Gaetz's comments come in the wake of leaked audio tapes in which McCarthy privately told top House Republicans that he would ask Trump to resign. Gaetz slammed McCarthy's comments when they were published.

McCarthy would be in line to become speaker if Republicans regain control of the House.

The number of seats House Republicans flip this fall will be of paramount importance to whether he will need the support of Gaetz and other so-called "MAGA" lawmakers.

McCarthy withdrew from the race for Speaker of the House after making comments about the GOP's investigation into Libya.

Gaetz describes McCarthy's ability to raise money.

McCarthy's own campaign operation hauled in a record-breaking $31.5 million during the first quarter of this year, with most of that money going to House Republicans' campaign arm and individual lawmakers facing tough campaigns $125 million worth of ad reservations have been placed by his allies.

McCarthy's spokesman did not reply to Insider's request for comment.

Gaetz told Time that Jim Jordan would be a good speaker. Jordan has become a close ally of McCarthy and has ruled out a campaign.

Gaetz is still dealing with the aftermath of a federal sex traffickers investigation. The Florida Republican denies any wrongdoing.