In a surprising turn of events, former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz found himself in the spotlight when questioned about a potential romantic link with fellow congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This unexpected inquiry came during an interview with Tucker Carlson, reigniting a speculation that had previously been floated by Carlson’s former colleague, Greg Gutfeld, on a May 2023 episode of “The Five.”

At the time of Gutfeld’s comments, Gaetz was married, and Ocasio-Cortez was engaged to her fiancé, Riley Roberts. Gaetz dismissed the idea of a romance as ‘childish,’ emphasizing the speculative nature of such claims.

Despite Gaetz’s dismissal, Carlson revisited the topic during their conversation, marking the second time Ocasio-Cortez’s name entered the discourse. The two representatives, both known for their strong political stances, had previously collaborated on various bipartisan initiatives during their congressional terms.

The partnership between Gaetz and Ocasio-Cortez, though unlikely given their political differences, showcased a moment of bipartisanship before Gaetz’s resignation from Congress late last year. This alliance has perhaps fueled ongoing curiosity regarding their professional and personal interactions.

Gaetz and Ocasio-Cortez became unlikely allies during their tenures in congress, working together in various bipartisan efforts before Gaetz’s resignation late last year.

Ocasio-Cortez, 36, is a democratic socialist and Gaetz is an outspoken member of the MAGA faithful.

‘Did you ever date her?’ Carlson asked on his web show.

‘I did not, no,’ Gaetz simply said.

Carlson followed up: ‘Did you try?’

Former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz was asked whether he ever dated New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by Tucker Carlson this week

Gaetz said his old colleague could stage a ‘compelling run’ against California Gov. Gavin Newsom for the Democratic presidential nomination. The two are seen together on the House floor on January 3, 2023

‘No, and uh, not my cup of tea,’ the former Florida lawmaker answered. 

He went on to explain the extent of their relationship, claiming that Ocasio-Cortez had previously been ‘incredibly chummy’ with her GOP House colleagues prior to the insurrection on January 6, 2021,

After that, she ‘treated us all like we had horns or something,’ Gaetz said.

Carlson then brought up how Ocasio-Cortez claimed that she suffered ‘trauma’ due to being present when the Capitol was stormed.

Gaetz panned the reaction as ‘bad performance art,’ less than a year after his nomination as Donald Trump’s attorney general fell apart after it was revealed he was under federal investigation for an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

‘You can’t be in charge of anything if you’re a terrified little girl,’ Carlson quipped. 

‘Yeah, but we are a society that is increasingly built on grievance identity,’ Gaetz noted.

He did concede his old colleague could stage  a ‘compelling run’ against California Gov. Gavin Newsom for the Democratic presidential nomination if she wanted.

‘I think she will be formidable as well,’ Gaetz said.

Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld first floated the idea of a hypothetical romance between the two as a joke during a May 2023 episode of The Five

Gaetz rejected any rumors of a romance, after seeing his nomination as Donald Trump’s attorney general fall apart earlier this year

The hardline Republican resigned from the House in November 2024 after Trump announced his attorney general nomination.

Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration after members of his own party refused to back him.

Within weeks, the House Ehtics Committee released a report from its 2021 investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and other improprieties by Gaetz.

The Justice Department declined to seek charges against Gaetz at the time, but did charge his associate Joel Greenberg with federal sex trafficking of a minor, for which he received an 11-year prison sentence.

Gaetz now hosts a show on One America News, a conservative cable station.

He and wife Ginger Gaetz gave birth to a baby boy in August. The two tied the knot in 2021.