Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson Slams Former Classmate Matt Gaetz: ‘That Motherf—–!’

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Alexis N. Crockett
February 21, 2025
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Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Lee’s Family Forum, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Henderson, Nev. (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)

“Reacher” series star Alan Ritchson recently opened up about his long-standing animosity with disgraced ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz in a revealing interview with GQ, offered harsh criticism of his former Niceville, Florida, classmate.

Speaking to the magazine ahead of the third season of Reacher, Ritchson lambasted Gaetz for the scandal that led to his resignation last year and questioned why voters continued to support him. He also hinted at a potential future in politics himself.

“That motherf—–. We are adversaries,” Ritchson said in the interview, according to the Daily Beast. “It’s shocking to me that the panhandle of Florida continues to vote for somebody—knowing everything we know about him and the promises that he’s made behind closed doors about pardoning certain criminals—he’s just not a good dude!”

Gaetz resigned from his Florida congressional seat shortly after winning re-election, following his failed nomination by President Donald Trump for U.S. attorney general. His departure came amid a wave of sexual misconduct allegations, including accusations involving a 17-year-old girl, which he has repeatedly denied.

Matt Gaetz — AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File

“There’s part of me that wants to get into politics to outdo somebody like him for good, and there’s part of me that’s like, I’m not duplicitous enough to succeed in politics,” Ritchson continued in the interview. “There are certain people that do a good job of staying true to who they are, but they’re ineffective. I think Bernie Sanders is a hero. But it’s like, what has he accomplished?”

Following his resignation, Gaetz landed a job as an anchor for the right-wing One America News Network and has also made himself available on Cameo, charging $200 per video. Meanwhile, Reacher Season 3 is set to premiere Thursday on Amazon Prime Video.

Ritchson’s comments have sparked discussions about the intersection of politics and entertainment, as well as the potential for more celebrities to consider entering the political arena in response to figures like Gaetz.