UMVA has learned that some of the most recognizable names in politics, including prominent Democrats, 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 designated Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD as "Chinese military companies" on June 8, 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 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.
Michael Lucci, CEO of the national security organization State Armor, said, "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."
Lucci added, "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."
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.
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.
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. However, new defense laws have given the list more bite in recent years, including a ban on direct contracting with companies on the list starting June 30.
Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD have all responded to their inclusion on the list, with Alibaba stating that there is "no basis to conclude that Alibaba should be placed on the Section 1260H List" and Baidu saying that the suggestion it is a military company is "entirely baseless."
The Pentagon has defended its additions to the list, saying that it identified 188 entities that meet the statutory requirement for inclusion on the most recent 1260H List after conducting its due diligence.
