The "Ruthless" podcast hosts discussed Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman's reported investment in a Chinese-military linked fund, raising national security concerns just before the midterm elections [1]. According to financial disclosures, Landsman and his wife held between $30,001 and $100,000 in the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF, with the Department of War identifying some companies held by the fund as Chinese military-linked entities [1]. Podcast co-host Josh Holmes highlighted the significance of these holdings, explaining that "The Pentagon puts out a list every year of companies that are associated with national security threats," and noted the apparent inconsistency that while federal contractors cannot hold positions in companies on this list, elected officials apparently can [1].
The controversy was compounded by previous disclosure issues: 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 [1]. However, in a 2025 press release, Landsman stated that he sold all of his stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs to comply with the TRUST in Congress Act, stating "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" [1]. Landsman faces Republican Eric Conroy in the general election to represent Ohio's 1st Congressional District, with Fox News classifying the race as "likely Democratic" [1].
CONCLUSION
Rep. Landsman's investment in a China-linked military fund raised national security concerns among political commentators, though he has since divested all stock holdings to comply with new congressional ethics legislation. The incident underscores ongoing tensions around congressional stock ownership and potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding holdings in companies with national security implications.