Fox News today is reporting that House Committee on Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R) is escalating an investigation into alleged foreign influence—specifically tied to China—through certain U.S. nonprofits. These groups are accused of exploiting tax-exempt status to spread propaganda, sow division, and fuel unrest in domestic protest movements such as anti-ICE.
Smith held a hearing titled “Foreign Influence in American Non-profits: Unmasking Threats from Beijing and Beyond“ this morning at 10 a.m.
The probe centers on a network allegedly funded by Neville Roy Singham, described as an American-born Marxist tech tycoon now based in Shanghai, who is accused of coordinating with Chinese Communist Party-linked interests to inject anti-American narratives into U.S. protests and media.
Specific nonprofits highlighted include:
- BreakThrough BT Media Inc. (publishes as BreakThrough News): Accused of producing content aligned with CCP propaganda, promoting videos from protests (e.g., anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis where violence occurred, including arrests and a death; anti-Israel protests post-Oct. 7, 2023; and pro-Maduro rallies).
- Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research: Accused of spreading Marxist/anti-American rhetoric and CCP-aligned narratives; received millions from Singham-linked entities and paid over $2.1 million to a Chinese media company (Maku Group) for services. Ties include employing Singham’s son and listing him on its advisory board, plus connections to CCP-funded institutions via figures like Vijay Prashad.
Other groups in the broader “Singham network” mentioned: People’s Forum, Party for Socialism and Liberation, ANSWER Coalition, and overlaps with Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). These are linked to organizing protests (e.g., anti-ICE, anti-Israel) that allegedly turned violent or disruptive.
Smith sent letters demanding records from BreakThrough and Tricontinental, expressing concern over their CCP connections and potential role in spreading propaganda. He stated:
Tax-exempt status is a privilege not a right. Nonprofits must remain accountable and refuse to act as instruments of hostile foreign governments. If evidence shows they function as foreign agents while enjoying U.S. tax benefits, “their tax-exempt status should be revoked immediately.
Singham, Tricontinental, and BreakThrough all failed to respond to comment requests.
For more, see Fox News.