In a surprising turn of events, former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz was left momentarily speechless when confronted with a question about a potential romantic involvement with fellow congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The query was posed by Tucker Carlson, reviving a speculative notion that had surfaced nearly two years prior.

The origins of this unlikely rumor trace back to May 2023, when Greg Gutfeld, during an episode of “The Five” on Fox News, whimsically suggested the idea of a romance between the two lawmakers. At that time, Gaetz was married, and Ocasio-Cortez was engaged to her fiancé, Riley Roberts. Gaetz quickly dismissed the fanciful rumor as “childish.”

Nonetheless, Carlson, undeterred by the past dismissal, revisited the topic during a recent interview, seizing an opportunity to probe Gaetz once more about Ocasio-Cortez. This line of questioning arose amid a broader discussion about the congresswoman, further fueling curiosity.

During their time in Congress, Gaetz and Ocasio-Cortez forged an unexpected alliance, collaborating on several bipartisan initiatives. This cooperation was notable given their stark political differences, with Ocasio-Cortez, a 36-year-old democratic socialist, and Gaetz, a prominent figure among MAGA supporters. Gaetz’s resignation late last year marked the end of their legislative partnership, but the intrigue surrounding their professional relationship persists.

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.