May 17, 2026 • 28 mins
1. Chinese Political Influence at the Local Level
- A former mayor of Arcadia, California (Wang) admitted to acting as an illegal agent for China.
- She:
- Her case is evidence of long-term infiltration into U.S. political systems, even before she held office.
2. Propaganda Targeting U.S. Audiences
- The website run by Wang allegedly posed as legitimate news but was used to:
- Promote Chinese government narratives
- Deny accusations like forced labor/genocide
- It specifically targeted Chinese-American communities as an influence channel.
3. Espionage Attempts Within U.S. Government
- A suspected Chinese agent (posing as a consultant) tried to:
- The staffer reported it, highlighting:
- Ongoing recruitment efforts targeting insiders
- Concerns about how many others may accept such offers
4. Claims of Intelligence Manipulation (COVID Origins)
- A CIA whistleblower alleges:
- Suggests:
- Possible political or institutional bias
- Continued withholding of classified information
5. Political Controversy
- This is:
- A lack of accountability
- Possible political avoidance
6. U.S.–China Economic & Diplomatic Relations
- A major summit between Donald Trump and China is described as:
- Expected outcomes include:
- Increased Chinese purchases of U.S. goods (e.g., Boeing, agriculture, energy)
- Potential job growth and economic benefits in the U.S.
7. Strategy: “Pressure Then Negotiate”
- The narrative portrays Trump’s approach as:
- Using tariffs and economic pressure → forcing China to negotiate
- The result:
- China seeking stability and access to U.S. markets rather than confrontation
8. Global Geopolitical Tensions
- Key issues discussed between the U.S. and China:
- Taiwan (major conflict risk)
- Iran & oil trade
- Artificial intelligence and semiconductors
- Rare earth minerals dominance
- Emphasis:
- Competition will continue despite cooperation
9. Economic & Business Collaboration
- U.S
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We have two very interesting stories that we're going to
start off with today, and a lot of it deals
with China and just how much they're trying to infiltrate
and being successful at it in this country, possibly stealing
major national security secrets and government information, as well as
influencing the towns that many of you are living in.
(00:21):
Perfect example of this is what we've just learned about
a celebrated democrat, a female California mayor is now admitted
to being a secret spy for China, and she looks
very different to her photoshopped original images, which is part
of the story. Now, the mayor of the wealthy southern
(00:41):
California city has since resigned after admitting she secretly acted
as an agent for the Chinese government. According to the
federal plea agreement that was unsealed on Monday, the former
Arcadia mayor, just outside of la her name was Wang,
She's fifty eight, and she agreed to plead guilty to
felony charge of acting as an illegal foreign agent for
(01:05):
the People's Republic of China and helping push pro Beijing
propaganda inside the US. Now, you may ask yourself, why
would they want a random mayor well, let's be clear,
China wasn't getting a random mayor. They were getting a
mayor of a very wealthy suburb of la and that
is exactly how she could help push pro Beijing propaganda
(01:29):
not only inside the US, but also with those that
have so much influence over our culture in Los Angeles. Now,
the interesting part about the crime that she's been charged
with is it carries a sentence of up to ten
years in federal prison. The stunning case prompted immediate fallout
in Arcadia, where city officials confirm Wang stepped down from
(01:50):
both the city council and the mayor's office on Monday.
Federal prosecutors alleged Wang spent years, let me say it again,
years working on the direction of Chinese government officials before
rising into elected office in Los Angeles County. They also
claim she used a Chinese language news website to distribute
(02:12):
propaganda favorable to Beijing while secretly coordinating with officials tied
to the Chinese Communist Party. This wasn't a low level operation,
this was full influence on the Communist Party in China.
Authorities described the website as a fake news platform specifically
targeting Chinese Americans. And that's where they find many of
(02:34):
their spies. Now, the case is also triggered intense scrutiny
of Wang's carefully crafted public image. Again, China plays at
a different level. They've gone pro is the best way
I can describe it. Campaign photos and promotional images used
during her political rise depicted Wang and heavily polished and
(02:55):
retouched portraits that projected a glamorous and approachable persona to
the voters. I'll go back to the core point here,
China has gone pro in influencing America.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Now, the unedited.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Public images reveal a stark contrast to the stylized campaign
photographs that once appeared across city political materials and social media.
Her dramatic downfall came just hours after the City of
Arcadia announced Wang's resignation from the city Council and her
departure as the mayor. As a May eleventh, twenty sixteen,
(03:31):
Wang resigned from the Arcadia City Council, vacating her position
as mayor. The city said in a simple statement posted online. Now.
On its next meeting, the city council says they will
select a new mayor and a Mayor pro tem from
among the remaining council members, and we'll begin discussing how
Arcadia is District III will be represented until next year's
(03:51):
election cycle in November. Wang was elected to the Arcadia
City Council in twenty twenty two and later elevated to
mayor the city's rotating leadership system. According to the Department
of Justice, however, Wang's ties to Chinese officials stretched back
well before she ever took office, which is exactly how
(04:12):
they have so much influence in America right now. Federal
authorities say that from late twenty twenty through twenty twenty two,
Wang worked alongside her then fiance under the direction and
control of officials tied to the Chinese government. Together, prosecutors
say they operated the website called US News Center, which
(04:35):
presented itself as a legitimate Chinese American news outlet while
allegedly serving as nothing more than a propaganda vehicle for Beijing,
specifically to have major influence in the US. According to
the court filings, Chinese officials sent Wang's articles and directives
through the encrypted messaging app we Chat, instructing her and
(04:56):
others to publish content that would be favorable to the
Chinese Communist Party. One of the most explosive examples outlined
in the plea agreement involved propaganda denying allegations of genocide
and forced labor in China. On June tenth, twenty twenty one,
at Chinese government official also allegedly sent Wang a pre
(05:16):
written article. It was titled China's stance on the of
course forced labor issue.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Now there is no genocide.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
It started with, there is no such thing as forced
labor in any production activity, including cotton production. Spreading such
rumor as to defame China and destroy the safety in
stability the message rate, according to prosecutors, now we all
know that there are many people that are actually yes
slaves and slave labor in China, like the Wigers, which
(05:46):
is a huge problem for China because the world knows
that many of them are enslaved against their will and
are being abused as.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
We speak now.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
The court document also says that Wang immediately reposted the
Chinese Communist Party propaganda to her website literally within minutes,
and then immediately sent the official link proving that it
had been published in America. So fast, Thank you everyone,
The official responded authorities say Wang repeatedly reported analytics and
(06:16):
audience engagement data back to Chinese officials after publishing the
propaganda articles for years in the US. In one August
twenty twenty one exchange side in the Plea agreement, Wang
sent screenshots showing an article had to receive more than
fifteen thousand views after officials requested edits to the story,
saying great. The official responded, according to the prosecutors, thank you, Leader,
(06:39):
Wang replied, Now, Federal prosecutor say Wang never disclosed that
the Chinese government was directing the content appearing on her website.
The case became even more alarming to investigators because Wang
ultimately has sent it into public office.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Now, this isn't the.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Only story that should be shocking you right now, which
brings me to part two of what I was saying
about out just how concern you should be about what's
happening with China. We now know from a New York
Times report that their headline pretty much says it all. Quote,
he offered a lawmaker's aid quick cash. Was he spying
(07:15):
for China? A staff member on the House China Committee
was promised ten thousand dollars for US policy insights on
issues like Venezuela and rare Earth minerals. When a man
identifying himself as Chris Chen reached out this winter to
an aid on the House Committee focus on Threats from China,
(07:37):
he came armed with a lucrative offer. The staff member,
mister Chen proposed could earn ten thousand or more by
barely lifting a finger. All he would need to do
is agreed to phone calls every other week to share
information about the committee's work and US foreign policy about China.
Insights in the US trade or national security issue use,
(08:00):
including the Trump administration's planned for Venezuela and the aftermath
of the January military operation there would be especially valuable,
mister Chen said. To sweeten the pot, mister Chen reportedly
promised to send the AID two thousand dollars up front.
The offer seemed too good to be true. Instead of
quietly accepting the deal, the aid, whose identity The New
(08:22):
York Times agreed to withhold because he works on sense
of policy issues related to China, reported to his bosses
on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
The panel quickly concluded mister Chen was not the Singapore
based business consultant he claimed to be, but instead likely
a Chinese intelligence officer or contractor seeking a new recruit.
(08:46):
By framing the initial offers a quote trial period, we
learned mister Chang dangled the expectation of a longer relationship,
obviously with more payments to come. So if you think
this is a one off, it's not. The scary part
is right now there's hotelling how many people are willing
to take money from China to sell out the United
States of America within our government all over the country.
(09:11):
CIA whistleblower went before Capitol Hill yesterday revealing that despite
a majority of CIA scientists concluding overwhelmingly that COVID leaked
from a lab in Wuhan, Anthony Fauci was able to
convince high ranking Intel officials to change their assessment from
(09:34):
a lab leak to a neutral idea. Why because they
need to cover up the narrative that the Wuhan instead
of virology, which was tied directly to Anthony Fauci, was
actually involved. What's even more shocking than that is the
CIA whistle blower also said that the CIA is still
(09:55):
blocking full declassification of COVID documents. Why is it to
protect Fauci or is it to protect China? I want
you to hear the back and forth from Center Rand
Paul and the CIA whistle blower explaining exactly just how
bad it really is.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
But what I think is of importance that's new today
is that your testimony is that the CIA scientists were
concluding that it was lab. But then with this, there
was a ninety day study in twenty twenty one, and
this study was done by NIC led by NIC tell Us.
What NIC is again, it's.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
The National Intelligence Council and individuals responsible for writing various
WD and bio related issues.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
So when they had this study, they had CIA scientists
telling them, look the evidence, the scientific evidence looks like.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
It came from the lab.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
But then they brought in Anthony Fauci. And is it
your opinion that Anthony Fauci was able to overrule the
scientist or get ANIC to conclude somehow that there wasn't
a conclusion to be out here, we're going to be neutral,
contradicting what the scientists were telling them.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
So there's two questions there, and I want to break
them up into two. One is where were the injection
points doctor Anthony Fauch. Where did doctor Anthony Fauci and
when did he inject himself into the IC, and the
other half of that question, if I'm, if I'm, and
I don't want to extrapolate too much, here is okay
what happened with why was there a change in analysis?
(11:30):
So I'll start with the if it's okay, doctor Paul, sure, Senator,
I'll start with doctor Anthony Fauci. There were two instances,
on three February twenty twenty and four June twenty twenty one,
Anthony Fauci had contact with the Inner Agency, and how
to sort of broadly generalize this is that that contact
(11:53):
was happily pursued within the IC. They wanted that contact,
and he provided a curated list of subject matter experts,
which coincidentally wrote The Proximal Origin of Sarskov too. So
it's not like he came in and said you have
to do X, Y and Z provided recommendations. It's when
you look at when you look at what has already
(12:17):
been publicly released about doctor Fauci and then what you're
seeing under the curtain at the IC, where you realize, okay,
there is a narrative that was being generated by his contact,
not just with experts here in the United States, but
experts in Australia and the UK, and that's the public
facing piece, and you know, he tries to he had
(12:37):
tried to sort of keep his hands clear of I
didn't have anything to do with the proximal origin of
Sarskov too. But in the meantime he's pushing those authors
and individuals that have been in his orbit into the
IC as experts. And I'll jump to June twenty twenty one.
We as the IC at the neck happily pursued those recommendations.
(13:03):
And in one email, which I'll describe to you, the
person in charge of leading the ninety day study, you know,
he introduced himself to the community that on what they
on what they were supposed to be doing, and then
the community said, he said, listen, we've got these people
we should be talking to. And another very senior NICK
(13:27):
officer sent in direct email to him saying, Hey, considering
that doctor Fauci is a public health expert, are you
sure we should be relying on this? Shouldn't we shouldn't
we have a separate set And in this instance the
individual responded no. In this case, doctor Anthony Fauci is
a subject matter expert. However, that's directly contradicting his public
(13:51):
testimony of being a subject matter.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Part of the job in intelligence when you interview someone
is assessing their truthfulness, their potential biases or conflicts of interest.
Did anyone ever bring up that Anthony Fauci approved the
research that went on in Wuhan and that it might
not be in his interest for the conclusion to be
that it came from a lab that he had funded,
that there might be a conflict that was Did any
(14:14):
everybody ever bring up that he might not be an
objective witness?
Speaker 4 (14:18):
That was one example of an email. No one laid
it out quite that clearly. You're piecing it together. We
were piecing it together from multiple emails, from multiple agencies,
multiple documents. It was, it was. It was more subtle
than that. Nobody said this is happening, and unfortunately, I
think they probably should have it all. It was all
out there.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
But your conclusion is that changing from the scientific consensus
of it being from a lab to a neutral position
by the CIA was significantly influenced by Anthony Fauci.
Speaker 4 (14:50):
It was significantly influenced by Anthony Fauci's injecting himself into
the IC and to go to the second part of
your question about what happened particularly during the ninety day study.
We have documentation that shows that as of August twelfth,
the CIA was considering calling this a lab leak August
(15:12):
twelfth of twenty twenty one, and then that changed on
August seventeenth of twenty twenty one.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Now what it's even more shocking about the hearing and
what you just heard. There is not a single Democrat
heard any of what you just heard. Why because apparently
not a single Democrat showed up to the Senate hearing
today where the CIA was the blower was testifying about
the COVID cover up. Could it be maybe because they
(15:42):
were all involved in it too. Listen now, Fox News
explain no Democrats in attendance.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
In this picture, because just a few minutes ago, just
shy of the top of the hour, you could see
over the left shoulder of Senator Ron Johnson the empty
seats of Democrats and we can show, I mean, look
at that room. And even James Erdman, who is the
whistleblower witness today, was asked about and I believe it
(16:09):
was Senator Yes Bernie Moreno who asked him this. How
does that make you feel knowing that those Democrats aren't there,
and he says that, of course I wish that they were.
I mean, you want everyone to know.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
What he has to say.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
It really is amazing to know that you have a
CIA whistleblower coming forward on the issue of COVID. It
involves Anthony Fauci Democrats, God, and none of the Democrats
will show up to hear what the whistleblower has to say.
There should be massive accountability for that, and also a
(16:43):
lot more questions that should be asked of democratic lawmakers
of why you.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Didn't show up.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
All right, let's do a quick recap of what has
been happening in China as President Donald Trump has visited Beijing,
and it's already being described by not only the White
House but also Chinese state media is one of the
most significant US China summits in years, and politically, economically,
and strategically, the visit is shaping up as a major
(17:10):
moment for this administration. Now, the headlines so far has
been pretty simple. After years of tariff wars, economic uncertainty,
and rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, Trump walked into
China looking to prove that he can negotiate from a
position of strength instead of weakness, and walk away with
(17:30):
a deal that directly benefits the American workers, American manufacturing,
and American exports as well, and so far, the White
House believes that's exactly what has happened.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Now.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
One of the biggest developments that has come out of
the summit is the expectation of massive new Chinese purchases
of American goods, including Boeing aircraft, American agriculture, and US
energy exports.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
The Treasury Secretary of.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Scott Bessen said officials expect major announcements involving Boeing orders
during the trip, which has happened along with expanded access
for American companies into Chinese markets. Now that matters enormously
for the American economy, the American worker, and the American farmer.
A large Boeing deal alone could support thousands of high
(18:19):
paying manufacturing jobs and states across the US add in
soybean exports, agricultural contracts, energy sales, and technology investment. And
the White House is now framing this trip as proof
that Donald Trump's aggressive trade posture against China force Beijing
back to the negotiating table. And remember just over a
(18:41):
year ago the two countries were locked into a brutal
trade war. Now, if you think the present's blowing smoke,
you weren't paying attention to just how nice the Chinese
were to the present in greeting him. It was something
you talked about with Sean Hannity on Fox News Interview.
Speaker 6 (18:57):
We appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Wow, they rolled out the red carpet.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
I have a video of when Barack Hussein Obama came
to China. There wasn't as much pageantry from your perspective,
that welcome.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
What did that?
Speaker 6 (19:14):
How did you interpret that?
Speaker 7 (19:16):
Well, we have a relationship he and I and we've
been working together a long time. We've gotten along well.
When I first came here, China was really taking advantage
of the United States. He understands that, and now we
do great with China and we have a very good relationship.
We have a friendship.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Really.
Speaker 7 (19:34):
He's a tremendous leader. He's been here a long time,
very powerful, very strong, there's no doubt about it. And
we just have a good relationship. I did actually see
other people arrive here they're not treated so well, but
we were treated very well.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
So that was meaningful for you.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Well.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
I mean, if I got out of a plane and
nobody was there to greet me, I would say that
wouldn't be so cool, because it's really a respect for
our country, our countries respected to look with the hottest
country right now anywhere in the world. But he and
I know each other well, I think beyond maybe that.
But we certainly got a very nice greeting, and today
was beautiful.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
The President talking about just how beautiful it was to
be respected as a country. And all of this happened
because of the tough work the President did. Remember the
tariff skyrocketed, supply chains were disrupted, rare with minerals, became
a major leverage point for the White House. China retaliated
against the US, and with their tariffs and tensions over Taiwan,
(20:31):
you also have fights over artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and military
influence in the Pacific pushed the relationship, you could argue,
to the edge. But now the Trump administration is showing
that Trump's hardline approach created real leverage and instead of
backing down, Trump kept the pressure up on Beijing, kept
(20:53):
it up through the tariffs, through the trade restrictions, and
efforts to rebuild American manufact and now, according to the
administration officials, China is signaling it wants what they describe
is stability and access to the US economy more than
they want confrontation. That's one reason this summit is being
(21:16):
viewed as such a major diplomatic moment. Another huge story
from the visits the presence of major American business leaders
traveling alongside the president. We're talking about CEOs and tech
leaders participating in meetings, including executives connected to Boeing, Apple, Tesla,
and other major companies. Trump even told Fox News that
(21:40):
Chinese officials discussed potentially investing hundreds of billions of dollars
into US link technology and business partnerships. Now, politically, that
gives Trump something to love to campaign on investment, job creation,
and manufacturing, not overseas but back in the United States.
The White House has already portraying this trip as evidence
(22:03):
that Trump's economic nationalism has worked, that the tariffs worked,
that pressure forced China into real negotiations for the first
time in decades and previous administrations they never even got
close to what is happening right now. And then there's
a geopolitical side of all this trip as well. The
summit hasn't just focused on economics. The two leaders have
(22:26):
also spent extensive time discussing Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, critical minerals,
military tensions, as.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Well as global stability.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
One of the biggest concerns for the administration right now
is China's relationship with Iran.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
They are drunk on Iranian oil.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
China remains one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil,
and the White House wants Beijing to pressure Tehran towards
de escalation as well as negotiations. Reuters is reporting that
Trump's team has been urging China to help stabilize the
region and avoid further disruptions tied to the straight of
Hormuz crisis. And that's critical because the global economy is
(23:10):
watching every market very carefully right now. If China cooperates
even partially with the United States on Iran, the administration
could claim a major international win, especially given the economic
consequences of instability in the Middle East. And there are
still major fault lines between the two countries. Everyone knows
(23:32):
that Taiwan remains one of the most dangerous flashpoints in
the world. Chinese President reportedly Warren Trump that mishandling Taiwan
could lead to a quote major conflict. At the same time,
the US is continuing to back Taiwan militarily as well
as strategically, which Beijing is furious about. They don't like
(23:53):
it and they describe it as interference in its internal affairs.
And then there's the race on AI and technology competition.
Both the US and China are trying to get a
leg up on one another, and they're trying to understand
that whoever dominates AI the semiconductor manufacturing and critical minerals
(24:14):
could shape the next generation of real global power. Analysts
say this summit may create communication channels to well prevent
real escalation, but nobody believes that the competition itself is
going to go.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Away anytime soon.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
One thing, though, that is interesting, is the tone of
the summit has been a surprise to many observers. Comparing
to Trump's first China trip back in twenty seventeen, analysts
say this visit has been notably warmer and more personal.
The ceremonies were elaborate, the conversations reportedly lasted longer than expected.
G and Trump appeared relaxed publicly toward historical sites together
(24:54):
and projected an image of stability between the world's two
largest economies. That is extremely important because the markets, well,
they hate uncertainty all over the world. And politically, Trump
wants Americans to see him as the one leader who
can simultaneously confront China, negotiate with China, and also bring
peace at the same time resolution and that's really the
(25:18):
broader message coming out of this trip, especially from the
White House. This administration is making it clear the Trump's
approach is not weakness, but controlled leverage pressure first, negotiation second,
and results third. Critics, of course, argue China still holds
enormous economic power, and they do, and they do it
(25:40):
especially through their rare earth minerals and manufacturing dominance. Some
are saying that America just has to figure out a
way to do it without China. You can decide what
you want to happen there. But one thing is for sure.
The President wanted this summit to be proof that if
you put pressure on China, well then they may they
actually come to the negotiating table and seriously offer up concessions.
(26:04):
And that's exactly what the president wants. In fact, when
President Trump was asked about the meeting, and exactly how
he felt it was going. Here's what he said to
Sean Hannity.
Speaker 6 (26:15):
In your own words, How did this meeting go? Because
I knew you were there a long time.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
It was a long meeting.
Speaker 7 (26:24):
It started off interestingly because they're very organized people. And
as you know, we have about thirty of the biggest
business leaders in the world, the biggest everything, you know,
I mean you name it, from chips to planes to everything,
and they're all here. I didn't invite them. They all
wanted to come, and they're all here, and I suggested
(26:44):
that I've always go at the meeting. I'd like to
introduce them to you. And they were surprised because it
wasn't you know, it wasn't scheduled. And they looked around.
They said, well, and then you know, we had everybody.
Don't want to go into names because I leave some out,
but there were a lot of guys.
Speaker 6 (27:03):
Let them cookie, a lot of peoples. You know, we
had had everybody had the video was Henson.
Speaker 7 (27:08):
We had just everybody and men and women, all all
great business are the best. And they said okay, and
they spoke a little bit and introduced themselves. It's interesting
because they do business and Ghener wust of them do
business here, but probably like to do more, and I'd
(27:29):
like to see them do more that would be good
for trade and trade balance.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
So, after years of tension with Beijing, the White House
once Americans understand one thing above all else, Donald Trump
went to China not to apologize, not to back down,
but to negotiate deals that they argue put the American
worker first. And that's exactly what seems to be coming
out of all of this. Don't forget to share this podcast,
(27:56):
by the way, with your family and your friends on
social media wherever you can hit that subscribe or auto
download button and I'll talk to you again tomorrow.
We have two very interesting stories that we're going to
start off with today, and a lot of it deals
with China and just how much they're trying to infiltrate
and being successful at it in this country, possibly stealing
major national security secrets and government information, as well as
influencing the towns that many of you are living in.
(00:21):
Perfect example of this is what we've just learned about
a celebrated democrat, a female California mayor is now admitted
to being a secret spy for China, and she looks
very different to her photoshopped original images, which is part
of the story. Now, the mayor of the wealthy southern
(00:41):
California city has since resigned after admitting she secretly acted
as an agent for the Chinese government. According to the
federal plea agreement that was unsealed on Monday, the former
Arcadia mayor, just outside of la her name was Wang,
She's fifty eight, and she agreed to plead guilty to
felony charge of acting as an illegal foreign agent for
(01:05):
the People's Republic of China and helping push pro Beijing
propaganda inside the US. Now, you may ask yourself, why
would they want a random mayor well, let's be clear,
China wasn't getting a random mayor. They were getting a
mayor of a very wealthy suburb of la and that
is exactly how she could help push pro Beijing propaganda
(01:29):
not only inside the US, but also with those that
have so much influence over our culture in Los Angeles. Now,
the interesting part about the crime that she's been charged
with is it carries a sentence of up to ten
years in federal prison. The stunning case prompted immediate fallout
in Arcadia, where city officials confirm Wang stepped down from
(01:50):
both the city council and the mayor's office on Monday.
Federal prosecutors alleged Wang spent years, let me say it again,
years working on the direction of Chinese government officials before
rising into elected office in Los Angeles County. They also
claim she used a Chinese language news website to distribute
(02:12):
propaganda favorable to Beijing while secretly coordinating with officials tied
to the Chinese Communist Party. This wasn't a low level operation,
this was full influence on the Communist Party in China.
Authorities described the website as a fake news platform specifically
targeting Chinese Americans. And that's where they find many of
(02:34):
their spies. Now, the case is also triggered intense scrutiny
of Wang's carefully crafted public image. Again, China plays at
a different level. They've gone pro is the best way
I can describe it. Campaign photos and promotional images used
during her political rise depicted Wang and heavily polished and
(02:55):
retouched portraits that projected a glamorous and approachable persona to
the voters. I'll go back to the core point here,
China has gone pro in influencing America.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Now, the unedited.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Public images reveal a stark contrast to the stylized campaign
photographs that once appeared across city political materials and social media.
Her dramatic downfall came just hours after the City of
Arcadia announced Wang's resignation from the city Council and her
departure as the mayor. As a May eleventh, twenty sixteen,
(03:31):
Wang resigned from the Arcadia City Council, vacating her position
as mayor. The city said in a simple statement posted online. Now.
On its next meeting, the city council says they will
select a new mayor and a Mayor pro tem from
among the remaining council members, and we'll begin discussing how
Arcadia is District III will be represented until next year's
(03:51):
election cycle in November. Wang was elected to the Arcadia
City Council in twenty twenty two and later elevated to
mayor the city's rotating leadership system. According to the Department
of Justice, however, Wang's ties to Chinese officials stretched back
well before she ever took office, which is exactly how
(04:12):
they have so much influence in America right now. Federal
authorities say that from late twenty twenty through twenty twenty two,
Wang worked alongside her then fiance under the direction and
control of officials tied to the Chinese government. Together, prosecutors
say they operated the website called US News Center, which
(04:35):
presented itself as a legitimate Chinese American news outlet while
allegedly serving as nothing more than a propaganda vehicle for Beijing,
specifically to have major influence in the US. According to
the court filings, Chinese officials sent Wang's articles and directives
through the encrypted messaging app we Chat, instructing her and
(04:56):
others to publish content that would be favorable to the
Chinese Communist Party. One of the most explosive examples outlined
in the plea agreement involved propaganda denying allegations of genocide
and forced labor in China. On June tenth, twenty twenty one,
at Chinese government official also allegedly sent Wang a pre
(05:16):
written article. It was titled China's stance on the of
course forced labor issue.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Now there is no genocide.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
It started with, there is no such thing as forced
labor in any production activity, including cotton production. Spreading such
rumor as to defame China and destroy the safety in
stability the message rate, according to prosecutors, now we all
know that there are many people that are actually yes
slaves and slave labor in China, like the Wigers, which
(05:46):
is a huge problem for China because the world knows
that many of them are enslaved against their will and
are being abused as.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
We speak now.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
The court document also says that Wang immediately reposted the
Chinese Communist Party propaganda to her website literally within minutes,
and then immediately sent the official link proving that it
had been published in America. So fast, Thank you everyone,
The official responded authorities say Wang repeatedly reported analytics and
(06:16):
audience engagement data back to Chinese officials after publishing the
propaganda articles for years in the US. In one August
twenty twenty one exchange side in the Plea agreement, Wang
sent screenshots showing an article had to receive more than
fifteen thousand views after officials requested edits to the story,
saying great. The official responded, according to the prosecutors, thank you, Leader,
(06:39):
Wang replied, Now, Federal prosecutor say Wang never disclosed that
the Chinese government was directing the content appearing on her website.
The case became even more alarming to investigators because Wang
ultimately has sent it into public office.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Now, this isn't the.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Only story that should be shocking you right now, which
brings me to part two of what I was saying
about out just how concern you should be about what's
happening with China. We now know from a New York
Times report that their headline pretty much says it all. Quote,
he offered a lawmaker's aid quick cash. Was he spying
(07:15):
for China? A staff member on the House China Committee
was promised ten thousand dollars for US policy insights on
issues like Venezuela and rare Earth minerals. When a man
identifying himself as Chris Chen reached out this winter to
an aid on the House Committee focus on Threats from China,
(07:37):
he came armed with a lucrative offer. The staff member,
mister Chen proposed could earn ten thousand or more by
barely lifting a finger. All he would need to do
is agreed to phone calls every other week to share
information about the committee's work and US foreign policy about China.
Insights in the US trade or national security issue use,
(08:00):
including the Trump administration's planned for Venezuela and the aftermath
of the January military operation there would be especially valuable,
mister Chen said. To sweeten the pot, mister Chen reportedly
promised to send the AID two thousand dollars up front.
The offer seemed too good to be true. Instead of
quietly accepting the deal, the aid, whose identity The New
(08:22):
York Times agreed to withhold because he works on sense
of policy issues related to China, reported to his bosses
on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
The panel quickly concluded mister Chen was not the Singapore
based business consultant he claimed to be, but instead likely
a Chinese intelligence officer or contractor seeking a new recruit.
(08:46):
By framing the initial offers a quote trial period, we
learned mister Chang dangled the expectation of a longer relationship,
obviously with more payments to come. So if you think
this is a one off, it's not. The scary part
is right now there's hotelling how many people are willing
to take money from China to sell out the United
States of America within our government all over the country.
(09:11):
CIA whistleblower went before Capitol Hill yesterday revealing that despite
a majority of CIA scientists concluding overwhelmingly that COVID leaked
from a lab in Wuhan, Anthony Fauci was able to
convince high ranking Intel officials to change their assessment from
(09:34):
a lab leak to a neutral idea. Why because they
need to cover up the narrative that the Wuhan instead
of virology, which was tied directly to Anthony Fauci, was
actually involved. What's even more shocking than that is the
CIA whistle blower also said that the CIA is still
(09:55):
blocking full declassification of COVID documents. Why is it to
protect Fauci or is it to protect China? I want
you to hear the back and forth from Center Rand
Paul and the CIA whistle blower explaining exactly just how
bad it really is.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
But what I think is of importance that's new today
is that your testimony is that the CIA scientists were
concluding that it was lab. But then with this, there
was a ninety day study in twenty twenty one, and
this study was done by NIC led by NIC tell Us.
What NIC is again, it's.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
The National Intelligence Council and individuals responsible for writing various
WD and bio related issues.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
So when they had this study, they had CIA scientists
telling them, look the evidence, the scientific evidence looks like.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
It came from the lab.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
But then they brought in Anthony Fauci. And is it
your opinion that Anthony Fauci was able to overrule the
scientist or get ANIC to conclude somehow that there wasn't
a conclusion to be out here, we're going to be neutral,
contradicting what the scientists were telling them.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
So there's two questions there, and I want to break
them up into two. One is where were the injection
points doctor Anthony Fauch. Where did doctor Anthony Fauci and
when did he inject himself into the IC, and the
other half of that question, if I'm, if I'm, and
I don't want to extrapolate too much, here is okay
what happened with why was there a change in analysis?
(11:30):
So I'll start with the if it's okay, doctor Paul, sure, Senator,
I'll start with doctor Anthony Fauci. There were two instances,
on three February twenty twenty and four June twenty twenty one,
Anthony Fauci had contact with the Inner Agency, and how
to sort of broadly generalize this is that that contact
(11:53):
was happily pursued within the IC. They wanted that contact,
and he provided a curated list of subject matter experts,
which coincidentally wrote The Proximal Origin of Sarskov too. So
it's not like he came in and said you have
to do X, Y and Z provided recommendations. It's when
you look at when you look at what has already
(12:17):
been publicly released about doctor Fauci and then what you're
seeing under the curtain at the IC, where you realize, okay,
there is a narrative that was being generated by his contact,
not just with experts here in the United States, but
experts in Australia and the UK, and that's the public
facing piece, and you know, he tries to he had
(12:37):
tried to sort of keep his hands clear of I
didn't have anything to do with the proximal origin of
Sarskov too. But in the meantime he's pushing those authors
and individuals that have been in his orbit into the
IC as experts. And I'll jump to June twenty twenty one.
We as the IC at the neck happily pursued those recommendations.
(13:03):
And in one email, which I'll describe to you, the
person in charge of leading the ninety day study, you know,
he introduced himself to the community that on what they
on what they were supposed to be doing, and then
the community said, he said, listen, we've got these people
we should be talking to. And another very senior NICK
(13:27):
officer sent in direct email to him saying, Hey, considering
that doctor Fauci is a public health expert, are you
sure we should be relying on this? Shouldn't we shouldn't
we have a separate set And in this instance the
individual responded no. In this case, doctor Anthony Fauci is
a subject matter expert. However, that's directly contradicting his public
(13:51):
testimony of being a subject matter.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Part of the job in intelligence when you interview someone
is assessing their truthfulness, their potential biases or conflicts of interest.
Did anyone ever bring up that Anthony Fauci approved the
research that went on in Wuhan and that it might
not be in his interest for the conclusion to be
that it came from a lab that he had funded,
that there might be a conflict that was Did any
(14:14):
everybody ever bring up that he might not be an
objective witness?
Speaker 4 (14:18):
That was one example of an email. No one laid
it out quite that clearly. You're piecing it together. We
were piecing it together from multiple emails, from multiple agencies,
multiple documents. It was, it was. It was more subtle
than that. Nobody said this is happening, and unfortunately, I
think they probably should have it all. It was all
out there.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
But your conclusion is that changing from the scientific consensus
of it being from a lab to a neutral position
by the CIA was significantly influenced by Anthony Fauci.
Speaker 4 (14:50):
It was significantly influenced by Anthony Fauci's injecting himself into
the IC and to go to the second part of
your question about what happened particularly during the ninety day study.
We have documentation that shows that as of August twelfth,
the CIA was considering calling this a lab leak August
(15:12):
twelfth of twenty twenty one, and then that changed on
August seventeenth of twenty twenty one.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Now what it's even more shocking about the hearing and
what you just heard. There is not a single Democrat
heard any of what you just heard. Why because apparently
not a single Democrat showed up to the Senate hearing
today where the CIA was the blower was testifying about
the COVID cover up. Could it be maybe because they
(15:42):
were all involved in it too. Listen now, Fox News
explain no Democrats in attendance.
Speaker 5 (15:48):
In this picture, because just a few minutes ago, just
shy of the top of the hour, you could see
over the left shoulder of Senator Ron Johnson the empty
seats of Democrats and we can show, I mean, look
at that room. And even James Erdman, who is the
whistleblower witness today, was asked about and I believe it
(16:09):
was Senator Yes Bernie Moreno who asked him this. How
does that make you feel knowing that those Democrats aren't there,
and he says that, of course I wish that they were.
I mean, you want everyone to know.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
What he has to say.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
It really is amazing to know that you have a
CIA whistleblower coming forward on the issue of COVID. It
involves Anthony Fauci Democrats, God, and none of the Democrats
will show up to hear what the whistleblower has to say.
There should be massive accountability for that, and also a
(16:43):
lot more questions that should be asked of democratic lawmakers
of why you.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Didn't show up.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
All right, let's do a quick recap of what has
been happening in China as President Donald Trump has visited Beijing,
and it's already being described by not only the White
House but also Chinese state media is one of the
most significant US China summits in years, and politically, economically,
and strategically, the visit is shaping up as a major
(17:10):
moment for this administration. Now, the headlines so far has
been pretty simple. After years of tariff wars, economic uncertainty,
and rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, Trump walked into
China looking to prove that he can negotiate from a
position of strength instead of weakness, and walk away with
(17:30):
a deal that directly benefits the American workers, American manufacturing,
and American exports as well, and so far, the White
House believes that's exactly what has happened.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Now.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
One of the biggest developments that has come out of
the summit is the expectation of massive new Chinese purchases
of American goods, including Boeing aircraft, American agriculture, and US
energy exports.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
The Treasury Secretary of.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Scott Bessen said officials expect major announcements involving Boeing orders
during the trip, which has happened along with expanded access
for American companies into Chinese markets. Now that matters enormously
for the American economy, the American worker, and the American farmer.
A large Boeing deal alone could support thousands of high
(18:19):
paying manufacturing jobs and states across the US add in
soybean exports, agricultural contracts, energy sales, and technology investment. And
the White House is now framing this trip as proof
that Donald Trump's aggressive trade posture against China force Beijing
back to the negotiating table. And remember just over a
(18:41):
year ago the two countries were locked into a brutal
trade war. Now, if you think the present's blowing smoke,
you weren't paying attention to just how nice the Chinese
were to the present in greeting him. It was something
you talked about with Sean Hannity on Fox News Interview.
Speaker 6 (18:57):
We appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Wow, they rolled out the red carpet.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
I have a video of when Barack Hussein Obama came
to China. There wasn't as much pageantry from your perspective,
that welcome.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
What did that?
Speaker 6 (19:14):
How did you interpret that?
Speaker 7 (19:16):
Well, we have a relationship he and I and we've
been working together a long time. We've gotten along well.
When I first came here, China was really taking advantage
of the United States. He understands that, and now we
do great with China and we have a very good relationship.
We have a friendship.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Really.
Speaker 7 (19:34):
He's a tremendous leader. He's been here a long time,
very powerful, very strong, there's no doubt about it. And
we just have a good relationship. I did actually see
other people arrive here they're not treated so well, but
we were treated very well.
Speaker 6 (19:48):
So that was meaningful for you.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Well.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
I mean, if I got out of a plane and
nobody was there to greet me, I would say that
wouldn't be so cool, because it's really a respect for
our country, our countries respected to look with the hottest
country right now anywhere in the world. But he and
I know each other well, I think beyond maybe that.
But we certainly got a very nice greeting, and today
was beautiful.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
The President talking about just how beautiful it was to
be respected as a country. And all of this happened
because of the tough work the President did. Remember the
tariff skyrocketed, supply chains were disrupted, rare with minerals, became
a major leverage point for the White House. China retaliated
against the US, and with their tariffs and tensions over Taiwan,
(20:31):
you also have fights over artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and military
influence in the Pacific pushed the relationship, you could argue,
to the edge. But now the Trump administration is showing
that Trump's hardline approach created real leverage and instead of
backing down, Trump kept the pressure up on Beijing, kept
(20:53):
it up through the tariffs, through the trade restrictions, and
efforts to rebuild American manufact and now, according to the
administration officials, China is signaling it wants what they describe
is stability and access to the US economy more than
they want confrontation. That's one reason this summit is being
(21:16):
viewed as such a major diplomatic moment. Another huge story
from the visits the presence of major American business leaders
traveling alongside the president. We're talking about CEOs and tech
leaders participating in meetings, including executives connected to Boeing, Apple, Tesla,
and other major companies. Trump even told Fox News that
(21:40):
Chinese officials discussed potentially investing hundreds of billions of dollars
into US link technology and business partnerships. Now, politically, that
gives Trump something to love to campaign on investment, job creation,
and manufacturing, not overseas but back in the United States.
The White House has already portraying this trip as evidence
(22:03):
that Trump's economic nationalism has worked, that the tariffs worked,
that pressure forced China into real negotiations for the first
time in decades and previous administrations they never even got
close to what is happening right now. And then there's
a geopolitical side of all this trip as well. The
summit hasn't just focused on economics. The two leaders have
(22:26):
also spent extensive time discussing Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, critical minerals,
military tensions, as.
Speaker 2 (22:36):
Well as global stability.
Speaker 1 (22:38):
One of the biggest concerns for the administration right now
is China's relationship with Iran.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
They are drunk on Iranian oil.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
China remains one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil,
and the White House wants Beijing to pressure Tehran towards
de escalation as well as negotiations. Reuters is reporting that
Trump's team has been urging China to help stabilize the
region and avoid further disruptions tied to the straight of
Hormuz crisis. And that's critical because the global economy is
(23:10):
watching every market very carefully right now. If China cooperates
even partially with the United States on Iran, the administration
could claim a major international win, especially given the economic
consequences of instability in the Middle East. And there are
still major fault lines between the two countries. Everyone knows
(23:32):
that Taiwan remains one of the most dangerous flashpoints in
the world. Chinese President reportedly Warren Trump that mishandling Taiwan
could lead to a quote major conflict. At the same time,
the US is continuing to back Taiwan militarily as well
as strategically, which Beijing is furious about. They don't like
(23:53):
it and they describe it as interference in its internal affairs.
And then there's the race on AI and technology competition.
Both the US and China are trying to get a
leg up on one another, and they're trying to understand
that whoever dominates AI the semiconductor manufacturing and critical minerals
(24:14):
could shape the next generation of real global power. Analysts
say this summit may create communication channels to well prevent
real escalation, but nobody believes that the competition itself is
going to go.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Away anytime soon.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
One thing, though, that is interesting, is the tone of
the summit has been a surprise to many observers. Comparing
to Trump's first China trip back in twenty seventeen, analysts
say this visit has been notably warmer and more personal.
The ceremonies were elaborate, the conversations reportedly lasted longer than expected.
G and Trump appeared relaxed publicly toward historical sites together
(24:54):
and projected an image of stability between the world's two
largest economies. That is extremely important because the markets, well,
they hate uncertainty all over the world. And politically, Trump
wants Americans to see him as the one leader who
can simultaneously confront China, negotiate with China, and also bring
peace at the same time resolution and that's really the
(25:18):
broader message coming out of this trip, especially from the
White House. This administration is making it clear the Trump's
approach is not weakness, but controlled leverage pressure first, negotiation second,
and results third. Critics, of course, argue China still holds
enormous economic power, and they do, and they do it
(25:40):
especially through their rare earth minerals and manufacturing dominance. Some
are saying that America just has to figure out a
way to do it without China. You can decide what
you want to happen there. But one thing is for sure.
The President wanted this summit to be proof that if
you put pressure on China, well then they may they
actually come to the negotiating table and seriously offer up concessions.
(26:04):
And that's exactly what the president wants. In fact, when
President Trump was asked about the meeting, and exactly how
he felt it was going. Here's what he said to
Sean Hannity.
Speaker 6 (26:15):
In your own words, How did this meeting go? Because
I knew you were there a long time.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
It was a long meeting.
Speaker 7 (26:24):
It started off interestingly because they're very organized people. And
as you know, we have about thirty of the biggest
business leaders in the world, the biggest everything, you know,
I mean you name it, from chips to planes to everything,
and they're all here. I didn't invite them. They all
wanted to come, and they're all here, and I suggested
(26:44):
that I've always go at the meeting. I'd like to
introduce them to you. And they were surprised because it
wasn't you know, it wasn't scheduled. And they looked around.
They said, well, and then you know, we had everybody.
Don't want to go into names because I leave some out,
but there were a lot of guys.
Speaker 6 (27:03):
Let them cookie, a lot of peoples. You know, we
had had everybody had the video was Henson.
Speaker 7 (27:08):
We had just everybody and men and women, all all
great business are the best. And they said okay, and
they spoke a little bit and introduced themselves. It's interesting
because they do business and Ghener wust of them do
business here, but probably like to do more, and I'd
(27:29):
like to see them do more that would be good
for trade and trade balance.
Speaker 1 (27:33):
So, after years of tension with Beijing, the White House
once Americans understand one thing above all else, Donald Trump
went to China not to apologize, not to back down,
but to negotiate deals that they argue put the American
worker first. And that's exactly what seems to be coming
out of all of this. Don't forget to share this podcast,
(27:56):
by the way, with your family and your friends on
social media wherever you can hit that subscribe or auto
download button and I'll talk to you again tomorrow.
Host
Ben Ferguson
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