President-elect Donald Trump reacted to the news that his nominee for attorney general former Rep. Matt Gaetz suddenly withdrew his name from consideration.

'I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect.'

Gaetz, a unequivocal supporter of President Trump, had earned respect from the president-elect despite the salacious allegations that followed him. 

In his statement reacting to the decision, Trump said he looked forward to Gaetz's future career. 

'Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!' he wrote. 

Gaetz was nominated by Trump to be his attorney general eight days ago despite allegations of sexual relations with a minor, which the House Ethics Committee had been investigating.

Trump was standing by Gaetz as late as Tuesday, when he told reporters he was not reconsidering his pick for attorney general. 

Gaetz has denied all of the allegations, reminding concerned senators skeptical of his record that Joe Biden's Justice Department investigated him for sex trafficking, but ultimately did not charge him.