Matt Gaetz Admits He Would Have Slept With Alleged Chinese Spy

The former Republican congressman undermined a MAGA host's attempt to smear a Democratic rival over an alleged spy scandal.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:37pm

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A fractured, abstract painting of a politician's silhouette in overlapping geometric shapes of red, white, and blue, conveying the chaotic nature of political scandals.A politician's admission of vulnerability to foreign influence operations highlights the complex web of personal and political scandals that can ensnare those in power.Dublin Today

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) undercut a MAGA host's efforts to criticize Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) over an alleged relationship with a Chinese spy, admitting that he "probably would have indulged" if a "smoking hot chick" offering "booty and cash" had approached him when he was in the Florida legislature.

Why it matters

Gaetz's candid admission highlights the potential vulnerabilities of politicians, even those aligned with the MAGA movement, to foreign influence operations that leverage personal relationships and financial incentives. It also raises questions about the consistency and credibility of Republican attacks on Democrats over alleged ties to China.

The details

During an interview, MAGA host Benny Johnson sought to smear Swalwell, a candidate for California governor, by claiming he had a relationship with an alleged Chinese spy named Fang Fang. However, Gaetz pushed back, noting that Swalwell was on the Dublin City Council, not in Congress, when he met Fang Fang. Gaetz then admitted that if a "smoking hot chick" offering "booty and cash" had approached him when he was in the Florida legislature, he "probably would have indulged that" rather than recognized it as a potential foreign influence operation.

  • The interview with Gaetz took place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

The players

Matt Gaetz

A former Republican congressman from Florida who has faced various scandals and controversies during his political career.

Eric Swalwell

A Democratic congressman from California who is running for governor of the state.

Benny Johnson

A MAGA-aligned media host who sought to criticize Swalwell over an alleged relationship with a Chinese spy.

Fang Fang

An alleged Chinese spy who is said to have had a relationship with Swalwell when he was on the Dublin City Council.

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What they’re saying

“Eric Swalwell was not a member of Congress when he met Fang Fang. He was on the Dublin City Council. So, like when you're in Congress, you get defensive briefings. They tell you at orientation, if some chick way out of your league starts, like, smiling at you and offering what you would never otherwise be offered, then you maybe need to have your guard up.”

— Matt Gaetz, Former Republican Congressman

“But when you're on the freaking Dublin City Council, you're supposed to be looking for a Chinese spy showing up offering booty and cash? Like when I was in the Florida legislature, if some smoking hot chick had shown up offering to like hang out with me and give me money, I probably would have indulged that. I probably would not have had, like, the ability to be like, no, Fang, Fang, stay away with all of your hotness.”

— Matt Gaetz, Former Republican Congressman

The takeaway

Gaetz's candid admission highlights the potential vulnerabilities of politicians, even those aligned with the MAGA movement, to foreign influence operations that leverage personal relationships and financial incentives. It also raises questions about the consistency and credibility of Republican attacks on Democrats over alleged ties to China.