INTERNACIONAL
Dems raked in millions from employees at firms newly identified as ‘Chinese military companies’
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Democrats, among them some of the most recognizable names in politics, have accepted millions of dollars in campaign contributions from top employees at firms the Pentagon recently designated as «Chinese military companies» operating in the U.S.
The Department of War on June 8 designated Alibaba, Baidu and BYD as «Chinese military companies,» meaning that the three firms, in the eyes of the U.S. government, are providing assistance to the People’s Liberation Army through its military-civil fusion strategy or other means. Senior employees at these companies, including executives, have donated roughly $2.6 million to Democratic political committees since 2020, a Fox News Digital review of campaign finance filings has found.
Notable individuals and organizations that received contributions from top staffers at these firms include Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, former President Joe Biden, Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic National Committee.
Donors to Democratic committees from the trio of firms include executives, top-level lawyers, lobbyists and, to a much lesser extent, rank-and-file employees working in areas such as engineering or management. The staffers made some contributions to Republicans as well, though the overall sum was far lower than what Democrats received.
PLATNER’S ANTI-CORPORATE CRUSADE HITS AWKWARD SNAG AS RECEIPTS TELL ANOTHER STORY
Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks to members of the media after a classified briefing on TikTok at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 12, 2024. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The review included direct contributions, earmarked contributions and donations to joint-fundraising committees reported in campaign finance filings. It did not identify corporate donations from Alibaba, Baidu or BYD to the federal committees.
«American politicians should no longer accept campaign cash from any Chinese companies. Politicians who have been taking campaign cash from companies like Baidu, Alibaba and BYD now realize they were supported by blacklisted Chinese Military Companies,» Michael Lucci, CEO of the national security organization State Armor, told Fox News Digital. «The reason the Pentagon’s list of sanctioned CCP companies keeps expanding is because the Chinese Communist Party imposes a ‘civil-military fusion’ mandate upon all Chinese companies, forcing them to assist in modernizing China’s military with the goal of defeating America.»
«They all end up working to support the PLA. They should all be cut off from U.S. politics,» he added.
The Pentagon’s Chinese military company designation via its 1260H list does not function as a traditional sanction, as Americans can continue to do business with the company.
Biden-linked committees and joint fundraising vehicles were by far the biggest beneficiaries of the funds, taking in roughly $850,000 from employees at the trio of firms between 2020 and 2024. The DNC, meanwhile, had a haul of around $500,000 while Harris-linked committees brought in roughly $140,000.
TOP CALIFORNIA DEM RUNNING FOR OFFICE TIED TO CHINESE SCHOOL ACCUSED OF US DIPLOMA SCANDAL
Former first lady Dr. Jill Biden gave an update on former President Joe Biden’s cancer on Saturday, saying that the 83-year-old will live with cancer for the rest of his life, he maintains a busy schedule but has slowed down. (Grant Baldwin/Getty Images)
Various state Democratic parties also received five-figure support from employees at Baidu, BYD and Alibaba. Newsom, per state campaign finance records, accepted $50,000 from an executive at BYD, an electric-vehicle manufacturer that his administration later awarded a contract.
Fox News Digital reached the offices of Biden, Harris, Schiff, Pelosi, Newsom and the DNC on Sunday for comment and has not heard back as of publishing.
Pentagon officials are legally required to release a list of what it determines to be Chinese military companies every year. The first such list was released in June 2021 under President Joe Biden.
The Pentagon’s 1260H list identifies Chinese companies the Defense Department says are «Chinese military companies» operating directly or indirectly in the United States. Required by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the list is intended to warn U.S. businesses and investors about firms tied to China’s military-civil fusion strategy, though inclusion does not automatically trigger sanctions.
New defense laws, however, have given the list more bite in recent years.
The Pentagon will be barred from directly contracting with companies on the list starting June 30 and is currently banned from contracting with companies who lobby on behalf 1260H-listed firms. In 2027, the ban will be expanded to prevent indirect procurement of goods manufactured by Chinese military companies through supply chain intermediaries.
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Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during her «107 Days» book tour at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in downtown Miami. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
While Alibaba, Baidu and BYD only recently earned formal designations as Chinese military companies, their links to the CCP have been widely reported for years.
The Wall Street Journal, for instance, reported in 2017 that Alibaba was assisting the Chinese government in its surveillance efforts against dissidents, and Chinese state media reported in 2018 that the firm had a large CCP presence within it. Some sources within the company told Reuters in 2019 that the firm had developed an app designed specifically to increase ideological alignment with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Alibaba, however, has come out strongly against its inclusion on the Pentagon’s list of Chinese military companies.
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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping represent the world’s two most powerful economies. (Brendan Smialowski – Pool/Getty Images)
«There’s no basis to conclude that Alibaba should be placed on the Section 1260H List,» a company spokeswoman told Fox News Digital. «Alibaba is not a Chinese military company nor part of any military-civil fusion strategy. We will take all available legal action against attempts to misrepresent our company.»
That statement also appears in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing made by Alibaba shortly after it was added to the Pentagon’s list.
«Inclusion in the CMC List will not affect the Group’s ability to conduct business as usual in the United States or anywhere in the world because the Group does not do business related to U.S. military procurement,» the SEC filing adds. «The CMC List does not impose any other export controls or sanctions, nor does it prohibit any persons (other than the U.S. Department of Defense) from business dealings with the Group or transacting in the securities of the Company.»
A person walks past a sign at Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. headquarters in Hangzhou, China, on May 8, 2021. Alibaba is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results on May 13. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)
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As early as 2015, outlets like Bloomberg News were reporting that the Chinese government was heavily subsidizing BYD. Wang Chuanfu, the founder and CEO of the firm, is a member of the Chinese Communist Party and an ally of Xi.
BYD did not respond to a request for comment when reached by Fox News Digital on Monday.
In Baidu’s case, China’s Ministry of Science and Technology named the company as part of the country’s «national team» for AI development in 2017, with it later appointed by the CCP’s National Development and Reform Commission to lead China’s first national lab on deep learning technologies, according to state media. The firm, which primarily operates a search engine, reportedly assists the Chinese government in carrying out censorship.
«We categorically reject the inclusion of Baidu on the list, and there is no credible justification for adding Baidu to the list,» a Baidu spokesperson told Fox News Digital «The suggestion that Baidu is a military company is entirely baseless. We will not hesitate to use all options available to us to have the company removed from the list.»
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The Pentagon has defended its additions to the list.
«After the Department conducted its due diligence, it identified 188 entities that meet the statutory requirement for inclusion on the most recent 1260H List,» a Department of War spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
joe biden, pentagon, fund raising, xi jinping, democrats senate
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For months, President Donald Trump has fixated on one legislative priority. Now, its repeated failure may be costing Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., the president’s support.
Trump has badgered Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, his missing legislative crown jewel, turning support for the bill into a loyalty test.
Thune has become the target for those irritated that the bill hasn’t moved in the Senate. For months, Trump largely spared him from criticism over the bill’s stalled progress. That appears to have changed.
The hairline fractures in their relationship stem from Thune doing what few Republicans are willing to do: tell Trump no.
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«Well, that’s too bad for him,» Trump said when asked about Thune not having the votes to move the SAVE America Act. «I mean, that’s too bad for him and too bad for the Republican Party.»
«He’s got the votes,» he continued. «He should get it done. He should be able to get it done.»
And, though he’s backed him before, Trump appeared to waver in his support of Thune when asked if he was the right man for the job.
«Well, we’re going to find out, and I’ll let you know,» Trump said.
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On his way to and from the Senate floor, Thune was pressed on Trump’s comments. When asked about Trump wavering on him as the leader of the Senate GOP, Thune signaled it wasn’t up to him.
«I don’t know what you say on that,» he said. «That’s a decision made by my colleagues.»
He also pushed back on the president’s assertion that Republicans could pass the SAVE America Act.
«That must be a different form of math,» Thune said.
Thune has repeatedly argued Republicans simply don’t have the votes to pass the SAVE America Act, a position that has increasingly put him at odds with Trump. A bloc of Republicans has never supported the legislation, while Senate Democrats overwhelmingly oppose it, leaving Thune without the votes.
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Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he hopes the next Senate shows more independence from President Donald Trump while crediting Senate Majority Leader John Thune with steering Republicans through a difficult political landscape. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
«I think it’s wrong to blame Thune for this — Senator Thune,» Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., told Fox News Digital. «This is not his fault.»
Still, Thune has moved major legislation backed by the president and has the Senate on a record pace for nominee confirmations, all while dealing with vulnerable Republicans taking tough political votes and Democrats who are bound to kneecap Trump’s agenda at every turn.
«I hope that the next Congress, the people with the election certificates as U.S. senators who actually make that decision, show some independence and courage,» Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital. «And recognize that Thune has helped navigate an almost impossible scenario to navigate with this president.»
The legislation has been tested several times in a variety of forms, and has never gotten the needed votes to pass. And Thune has said the votes aren’t there to nuke the filibuster, which Trump has pushed for throughout his second term.
Even as Trump publicly questions Thune, the Senate GOP leader intends to seek another term as the top Republican.
Leadership is elected internally by Senate Republicans, not by the president. Thune came out of a crowded field to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., battling Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to get the top spot in the Senate GOP.
And his colleagues, so far, have his back.
Scott, who ran against Thune, told Fox News Digital that he had no intention of running for the top gig in the Senate again. He also noted that even though he wanted it, it’s a difficult profession to take on.
«John’s a smart guy,» Scott said. «He is working really hard. So I think he shouldn’t — you know, it’s tough to be the leader.»
«We’ve got a lot of issues we haven’t addressed, so it’s hard,» he continued. «I assumed it was gonna be hard.»
politics, donald trump, john thune, senate elections, republicans elections
INTERNACIONAL
Crisis en Ceuta: Finlandia apoya a Italia para suspender a España del espacio Schengen por la avalancha migratoria desde Marruecos
Finlandia respaldó este viernes la propuesta italiana de suspender a España del espacio europeo Schengen de libre circulación de personas tras la entrada ilegal de decenas de miles de migrantes al enclave español de Ceuta procedentes de Marruecos.
«Los países que no cumplen con su obligación de proteger la frontera exterior no pueden ser miembros de Schengen», escribió la ministra finlandesa de Interior, Mari Rantanen.
En este sentido, el gobierno de Pedro Sánchez está de vuelta en la mira de un grupo de mandatarios de derecha, tras la masiva entrada de migrantes marroquíes al enclave español de Ceuta (África). La primera ministra de Italia, Giorgia Meloni, confirmó que estudian la suspensión del espacio Schengen entre Italia y España que garantiza la libre circulación entre los países que firmaron el tratado.
«Las imágenes que llegan desde Ceuta son impresionantes y demuestran, una vez más, que la inmigración clandestina fuera de control representa una amenaza concreta para la seguridad de las fronteras europeas», escribió en X la líder italiana.
Este jueves miles de migrantes han accedido a la ciudad autónoma española desde Marruecos cruzando a pie por el espigón fronterizo sur del Tarajal, una situación que se ha repetido horas después con otros miles accediendo de forma irregular a la ciudad.
«Italia no se quedará de brazos cruzados. Estamos convocando a los organismos competentes, y al término de estas reuniones estamos preparados para intervenir también con instrumentos extraordinarios para defender las fronteras y la seguridad de los ciudadanos, como la suspensión del espacio Schengen con España«, señaló la mandataria, que previamente se había reunido con el ministro de Interior, Matteo Piantedosi.
«Sobre la inmigración clandestina no retrocederemos ni un milímetro: defender las fronteras, detener a los traficantes de seres humanos y garantizar repatriaciones efectivas seguirá siendo la línea de este Gobierno», cerró Meloni.
Le immagini che arrivano da Ceuta sono impressionanti e dimostrano, ancora una volta, che l’immigrazione clandestina fuori controllo rappresenta una minaccia concreta per la sicurezza dei confini europei.
Mi sono confrontata con il Ministro dell’Interno Matteo Piantedosi.…
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 30, 2026
El gobierno español reaccionó al pedido de Meloni. Consideró que se trata de una medida demagógica y convocó al embajador italiano.
El ministro italiano de Relaciones Exteriores, Antonio Tajani, también se mostró a favor del cierre del espacio Schengen con España: «La inmigración irregular e incontrolada representa un peligro para la seguridad nacional«, señaló el ministro en X.
«Las imágenes que llegan desde Ceuta demuestran cómo la decisión del Gobierno de Madrid de otorgar la ciudadanía española, por tanto europea, a más de 500.000 inmigrantes irregulares es profundamente errónea e incentiva el tráfico de seres humanos», agregó.
Por su parte, la Casa Blanca atribuyó este jueves a las «políticas globalistas de extrema izquierda» de España la situación en Ceuta. «El presidente Trump lleva tiempo advirtiendo a Europa de las consecuencias de seguir implementando políticas globalistas de extrema izquierda, como facilitar la migración masiva. España y otros países que han adoptado esta filosofía destructiva deberían rectificar de inmediato o se arriesgan a su propia desaparición«, portavoz de la Casa Blanca, Ana Kelly, a EFE.
En las últimas horas el Gobierno informó de que las Fuerzas Armadas reforzarán a la Guarda Civil para mantener la seguridad en la ciudad de Ceuta.
El presidente del Gobierno español viajará este viernes a Ceuta para conocer sobre el terreno la situación. El mandatario español afirmó este jueves que el Ejecutivo está volcado en dar una respuesta inmediata a la situación y preparaba todas las medidas necesarias para recuperar la normalidad lo antes posible.
Sánchez también indicó que España y Marruecos acordaron reforzar la coordinación y los esfuerzos para hacer frente a la crisis migratoria y se comprometieron a revisar e implementar medidas para la entrega, lo antes posible, de todas las personas que entraron de forma irregular.
La Guardia Civil recuperó este jueves los cadáveres de once personas que habrían intentado entrar a nado en Ceuta y Salvamento Marítimo otro más.
Las autoridades marroquíes han comenzado a usar material antidisturbios, gases lacrimógenos y cañones de agua, para dispersar a la multitud congregada en los alrededores de la frontera con Ceuta. Miles de personas siguen llegando durante todo el día a la localidad de Castillejos con la intención de cruzar a la ciudad española, una marea humana de más de cinco kilómetros que ha terminado por desbordar a la policía marroquí.
INTERNACIONAL
Habló el guardavidas de 16 años que salvó a un nene en California: “Se iba a ahogar y no iba a dejar que eso pasara”
El sábado, en la playa Seabright State Beach de Santa Cruz, Ryder Williams, un guardavidas de apenas 16 años, se convirtió en protagonista de una historia que recorrió todo Estados Unidos. En medio de un mar agitado y con la costa repleta de gente, el adolescente rescató a Nathaniel Rai, un nene de 10 años que había sido arrastrado por las olas.
Williams, que está en su primer año como guardavidas de California State Parks, contó que vio cómo el chico perdió el equilibrio en la orilla y fue arrastrado hacia aguas profundas por la fuerza del mar.
Sin dudarlo, avisó por radio, dejó sus cosas en la base de la torre y corrió hacia el agua con sus aletas y el flotador. Ryder Williams salvó a Nathaniel Rai, de 10 años, en medio de un fuerte oleaje (Foto: Instagram/@Santacruznow).
“No iba a soltar a ese chico”, le contó después a su papá, Shane Williams, un bombero retirado. “Se iba a ahogar y no iba a dejar que eso pasara”, agregó el joven, que no dudó en lanzarse al mar pese a las condiciones peligrosas.
El dramático rescate en medio de olas gigantes
Williams explicó que, debido a la violencia del agua, no pudo colocarle el tubo de rescate al nene, que llegó a quedarse inmóvil mientras las olas los golpeaban una y otra vez.
“Después de la primera ola, no pude sacarlo porque estaba flácido y las olas empujaban con mucha fuerza”, señaló en un comunicado.
El Servicio de Parques de California, que emplea a los salvavidas en esa playa, indicó que el niño fue arrastrado unos 13,7 metros mar adentro antes de que el Ryder lograra alcanzarlo
Ryder Williams con su papá, Shane, un exbombero. (Foto: gentileza The New York Post).
En el video que grabaron testigos. se ve a Williams zambullirse en una ola que venía mientras se aferra con fuerza al niño.
Otro salvavidas, Aaron Bohnen, se lanzó para ayudar, junto con algunos bañistas, a quienes Williams pidió que volvieran a la orilla para no poner más vidas en riesgo.
Williams y Bohnen consiguieron sacar a Nathaniel del agua y llevarlo a la playa, donde Williams buscó el equipo médico para asistir al chico.
Reconocimiento nacional y una invitación especial
El rescate no solo evitó una tragedia, sino que también le valió a Ryder Williams el reconocimiento a nivel nacional. El propio presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, anunció que planea invitarlo a la Casa Blanca para entregarle una distinción civil por su valentía. Trump anunció que condecorará a Ryder Williams por su valentía. (Foto: captura de X).
Las autoridades destacaron que Williams estuvo asignado a la Torre 2 durante toda la jornada, haciendo controles de seguridad por la gran cantidad de gente y el mar peligroso.
Tras el rescate, el joven volvió a su puesto y terminó su turno como cualquier otro día.
“Estoy agradecido de haber podido devolver al chico a su familia sano y salvo. Este es mi trabajo y amo lo que hago”, expresó Williams en su primer comunicado tras el hecho.
“Estoy agradecido con mis compañeros salvavidas, que realizan rescates como este todos los días”, agregó.
El niño no sufrió lesiones graves y, tras una evaluación médica, se fue con su familia.
El dramático testimonio del padre del nene que fue rescatado
Sumit Rai, el papá del nene, le expresó su gratitud a Ryder en declaraciones a la agencia de noticias AP. “Lo que hizo, nunca jamás podré pagarlo”, afirmó. “Le estaré agradecido para siempre”, manifestó.
El hombre alabó el coraje del adolescente. “Se metió en ese agua pese a esas condiciones mortales. Había olas de 3 metros; hay resacas y corrientes que entran”, dijo Rai “Es peligroso meterse allí, así que estaba arriesgando su propia seguridad”, añadió sobre Ryder.
El hombre, que estaba en Dallas, se enteró de lo que había pasado al hablar por teléfono con su hijo horas después del rescate. “Mi hijo me dijo que se ahogó y que perdió el conocimiento”, comentó.
Y agregó: “Estaba muy apagado, todavía en estado de shock”.
Además, el nene le contó que le entró arena en los pulmones y que la estuvo expulsando al toser después de llegar a la orilla. Según dijo, el nene tuvo pesadillas tras el duro momento: “Fue traumático”
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