'Ruthless' podcast breaks down investment by Ohio Democrat in China-linked fund
With less than a week until the midterm elections, the "Ruthless" podcast hosts questioned Rep. Greg Landsman's, D-Ohio, reported investment in a fund with holdings in Chinese military-linked companies.
"How are you allowed to hold that [fund as] an elected official in this country?" podcast co-host Comfortably Smug asked in an episode released Wednesday morning. "That is stunning."
Ohio News previously reported that, according to financial disclosures, Landsman and his wife held between $30,001 and $100,000 in the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF. The Department of War has identified some companies held by the fund as Chinese military companies.
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Podcast co-host Josh Holmes explained the possible national security significance of a congressman owning these types of funds.
"The reason why this is significant is the Pentagon puts out a list every year of companies that are associated with national security threats," Holmes said. "If you are a company that wants to contract anywhere in the federal government, if you have holdings in those companies that are on that list, you can't get a government contract. Evidently, you could get elected to Congress."
Landsman's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Washington Free Beacon reported in September that Landsman amended his 2022 financial disclosure nearly three years after filing it, revealing dozens of previously undisclosed stock holdings.
In a press release from 2025, Landsman claimed that he sold all of his stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs to become compliant with the TRUST in Congress Act.
"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 said at the time. "I don’t want a single constituent to think that I’m doing anything in DC but thinking about them."
Landsman faces Republican Eric Conroy in the general election to represent the 1st Congressional District in southwestern Ohio. Fox News’ latest rankings classified the race as "likely Democratic."
Republicans view the seat as an opportunity to expand their narrow majority against the insurgent Democrats.
Political eyes have centered on the Buckeye State in recent weeks as Ohians will also vote in a competitive U.S. Senate race that could decide control of the chamber and a hotly contested gubernatorial election.
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The hosts of the "Ruthless Podcast" have covered the midterms at length over the last year, interviewing candidates in 20 states as part of the Ruthless Midterm Interview Series.
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"Ruthless," which typically publishes new episodes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, added an extra Wednesday recording during election season.