Podcast Questions Ohio Democrat's Investment in China-Linked Fund
The 'Ruthless' podcast highlighted Representative Greg Landsman's financial disclosure showing holdings in a fund with companies identified by the Pentagon as Chinese military entities.
The hosts of the "Ruthless" podcast have raised questions about an investment made by Representative Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, in a fund that includes companies identified by the Department of Defense as Chinese military companies. The discussion occurred in an episode released shortly before the midterm elections.
According to financial disclosures reported by Ohio News, Landsman and his wife held between $30,001 and $100,000 in the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF. This fund contains holdings in companies that the Department of War has designated as Chinese military companies.
During the podcast episode, co-host Comfortably Smug questioned the propriety of an elected official holding such investments. "How are you allowed to hold that [fund as] an elected official in this country?" he asked. "That is stunning."
Co-host Josh Holmes elaborated on the potential national security implications. He explained that the Pentagon annually lists companies associated with national security threats. While companies contracting with the federal government are barred from holding investments in these listed entities, Holmes noted, "Evidently, you could get elected to Congress."
Landsman's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the investment.
This situation comes after a September report from the Washington Free Beacon indicated that Landsman amended his 2022 financial disclosure to reveal dozens of previously undisclosed stock holdings. In a press release from 2025, Landsman stated he had sold all his stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs to comply with the TRUST in Congress Act, which he aimed to meet ahead of its official implementation. At the time, he said, "I wanted to be one of the first members of Congress to comply with this legislation – even before it becomes law – because people see a system that’s broken, and I’m determined to be part of the generation that fixes it."
Landsman is currently seeking re-election in Ohio's 1st Congressional District against Republican Eric Conroy. Fox News's latest rankings classify the race as "likely Democratic."