In my former two articles about Florida Representative Matt Gaetz and “Gaetz-Gate,” I have been criticized by our good readers because I have not been on “Team Matt,” and because I did not consider his public efforts to defend himself against allegations of ethics violations and sex trafficking as the smartest of moves.

However, not liking him, and calling out his public moves doesn’t mean that I believed he was guilty. The longer this affair drags on, the yawning lack of evidence becomes more evident.

As many suspected, this is turning out to be another Democrat smear campaign.

The latest CNN-sting videos from James O’Keefe/Project Veritas has all but confirmed this:

In 2 weeks we’ve gone from wild allegations of international sex trafficking, to watered down reports abt Rep. Gaetz’s consensual relationships w/ adult women.

Now we learn that CNN’s motivations are to attack a US Congressman with self-described propaganda in order to aid Dems! pic.twitter.com/v161M2rAFC

— HARLAN Z. HILL 🇺🇸 (@Harlan) April 13, 2021

However, it still doesn’t mean Gaetz couldn’t afford to learn some object lessons from this, especially if he plans to stay in elected office.

One of them is to start picking better friends.

According to POLITICO, Gaetz still has no named accusers, and the person he called his “wingman,” Joel Greenberg, may be the source of accusations against Gaetz. Mainly, so Greenberg can save his own skin.

This comes as no surprise.

“The WhatsApp messages shed light on key aspects of the scandal consuming the Florida Republican congressman and close ally of President Donald Trump — and on the state of mind of the man Gaetz once called his “wingman” as he sought to manage the fallout.

“Greenberg went so far as to push Gaetz to use his influence with Trump for a pardon, according to two sources familiar with the discussions, including one who heard Greenberg say it repeatedly.

“Asked about the request from Greenberg, Gaetz previously declined to confirm or deny that it occurred. But the congressman said he did not ask Trump to pardon Greenberg. Gaetz couldn’t be reached this weekend to discuss the WhatsApp messages that are the subject of this story.”

Aside from the fact that Greenberg has been indicted on stalking and sex trafficking, what other signs might indicate that he’s a toxic waste dump?

As the good book says, “Evil communications corrupt good manners.”

Then there is Gaetz’s “friendship” with former Congresswoman Katie Hill, who continues to hit bottom, but keeps on digging. Gaetz came to Hill’s defense when she was under allegations of drug use and inappropriate relations with her staffer. Now that Gaetz is under the microscope, Hill sees no reason to return the favor.

During an interview with MSNBC host Chris Hayes on Thursday night, Hill said that she and Gaetz became friends because they served on the House Armed Services Committee and were about the same age.

Hill stated that amid the allegations and leaks that she faced during her time in the House, he stood up for her.

“When it really mattered, when I was feeling particularly abandoned by the people within my own party, and when I felt just betrayed and alone and disgusted and … disgusted with myself, it matters a lot that somebody stands up for you.”

Hill now says that, amid “all of this coming out” about the Florida Republican, she feels “betrayed.”

“I feel betrayed by him,” Hill said to Hayes. “And I have to wonder about his motivations for defending me in the first place.”

“I feel betrayed by him. And I have to wonder about his motivations for defending me in the first place,” says @KatieHill4CA on Matt Gaetz. pic.twitter.com/SDPR6dQGiM

— All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) April 9, 2021

John Cardillo puts a fine point on all this:

Katie Hill throwing Matt Gaetz under the bus after he defended her and cost himself political capital for doing so should show every Republican what happens when they believe Democrats have any interest in compromise or friendship.

They will use you then try to destroy you.

— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) April 11, 2021

If for nothing else than that I enjoy seeing the Left owned, I am happy for Gaetz. He is still standing after an ugly smear campaign, while his accusers, and everyone else involved in this malfeasance, are unraveling. Now, my advice is don’t give them another opportunity: Clean out the iPhone, go get married, and find some good couple friends who aren’t going to sell you down the river.