The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) addressed allegations made by former Congressman Matt Gaetz regarding the use of QR codes at its events, as well as claims about a hotel room intrusion during a trip to Israel.
Gaetz accused AIPAC of using barcodes on name badges for fundraising purposes, stating that attendees were expected to engage with donors and have their QR codes scanned to facilitate donations. “You get there and you wear this name badge. And I remember there’s a QR code on it,” Gaetz said. He described the process as “demoralizing,” comparing it to being treated like “a can of tomato soup.”
AIPAC denied the allegations, asserting that barcodes on name badges were for security purposes only. “The accusation about our fundraisers is, of course, a lie. Barcodes are on name badges for security reasons, not fundraising, and are scanned for that purpose,” AIPAC stated. The organization also mocked Gaetz’s claims, suggesting he may have been confused: “Maybe @mattgaetz was confused because he wanted people to scan his barcode, and they didn’t even want to talk to him.”
Gaetz further alleged that during a trip to Israel, someone “rooted around” in his hotel room. He claimed he reported the incident to his committee leadership, who dismissed it as “regular” and advised him not to leave valuable items in his room abroad. AIPAC spokesman Marshall Wittman called the story “a preposterously false allegation” aimed at undermining patriotic Americans.
Rep. Thomas Massie’s campaign account noted that Gaetz shared the hotel room story in person years ago, calling it a lie then and now. AIPAC reiterated its stance, stating it would not be deterred by “extremists” seeking to harm its efforts to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations.
