Washington, D.C. – On September 16, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia held a hearing titled “Trojan Horses: Covert Foreign Malign Influence Operations in America.” The session focused on a network of nonprofit groups, media outlets and activist organizations that receive funding from foreign‑aligned donors and promote the interests of China, Cuba, Iran and Russia.
Activists ejected for displaying foreign‑government slogans
During the hearing, CodePink co‑founder Medea Benjamin and two fellow activists entered the hearing room wearing T‑shirts that displayed the flags of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Communist Party of Cuba. After a brief photo‑op, Capitol Hill police escorted the trio out of the room. Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Bill Huizenga (R‑MI) said the demonstration illustrated how protest theater can be weaponized by foreign influence campaigns.
Funding ties to tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham
According to a Fox News Digital investigation, Singham – a U.S. tech entrepreneur who now lives in Shanghai – has contributed $278 million to a far‑left network of groups that disseminate anti‑American, pro‑Chinese messaging. CodePink alone has received $1.33 million from Singham, while the People’s Forum in New York City has taken $22.44 million. BreakThrough News, a media platform that amplifies demonstrations, has been funded with $1.098 million.
Heritage Foundation senior fellow Mike Gonzalez identified a “red‑green” alliance in which far‑left organizations collaborate with Islamist groups, funneling money through intermediary nonprofits before reaching U.S. protest groups. He warned that China, Cuba and Iran are conducting a sustained campaign of subversion aimed at weakening the United States.
Republican witnesses outline the threat
Gonzalez and Jamestown Foundation senior fellow Matthew Johnson described how Singham‑funded entities translate Beijing‑originated themes – anti‑imperialism, environmental harm, opposition to U.S. power – into activist language for American audiences. They cited dozens of campaigns in 14 states that have delayed or blocked data‑center projects, arguing that while some opposition is legitimate, a significant portion is driven by foreign‑backed messaging.
Johnson emphasized that foreign actors cannot simply command American institutions; they must cultivate relationships within think tanks, media outlets and activist groups to shape perception and policy.
Committee’s call to action
Huizenga stressed that America’s adversaries share a common goal: to erode national unity and undermine democratic institutions. He urged vigilance, transparency and stronger enforcement of foreign‑influence disclosure rules to protect families, faith communities and the Constitution from covert manipulation.
While CodePink and Singham deny any direction from the Chinese Communist Party, the hearing underscored the importance of exposing hidden funding streams and ensuring that activist movements remain rooted in genuine American values rather than foreign agendas.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
