Name: Report: Chinese Communist Party funding U.S. schools
Uploaded: 2025-12-09T16:38:00.886Z
Duration: 6 min 18 s
Description: Republican Rep. Aaron Bean of Florida joins to discuss alarming reports of the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign enemies attempting to influence American schools.

Republican Rep. Aaron Bean of Florida joins to discuss alarming reports of the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign enemies attempting to influence American schools.

A U.S. Congressman has alleged that multiple foreign governments, including China, are seeking to influence American schools by funding books, teachers, and programs, with a particular focus on institutions near military bases. According to a report cited in the discussion, 143 U.S. schools have ties to the Chinese Communist Party, and the TRACE Act has been introduced to provide transparency regarding such foreign funding.

The TRACE Act, which recently passed the House despite opposition from 166 Democrats, would require disclosure of foreign donations to schools and universities, especially from countries designated as foreign entities of concern. The Congressman emphasized that the bill is intended to empower parents by giving them the right to know about foreign involvement in their children's education and to address potential national security risks.

Report: Chinese Communist Party funding U.S. schools

here to discuss this morning. Congressman, thanks so much for being here. You know, this is jaw-dropping. I think it catches so many people by surprise that our schools could be under attack through essentially ideology, you say. Take a look at what you're alleging here. Multiple foreign governments, including China, Cuba, Qatar, and Mexico, have sought to influence U.S. education and shape anti-American narratives. Congressman, how is this infiltration happening? First of all, a very good morning, Shannon. It's great to be with you. Our parents, your folks taught us there's no free lunch. And so when governments fund millions of dollars into the American education system, we know there are strings attached. They figured out that they don't have to fire a shot. They can just take over the minds of our youth. And Congress, at least the House of Representatives, this past week said, no, parents have the right to know. If these foreign governments are funding books, teachers, programs, parents should have the right to know about it. So a foreign entity can come in and say, I want to fund this particular book, and the school district sits down. I mean, all politics is local. This is a local issue, and the school board passes it, and suddenly our kids are learning. Is that what's happening here? Well, we've seen it all over America. 143 schools have some type of ties or relationship with communist China. And so it's an alarming report. This came out 18 months ago. I used to chair a K-12 education subcommittee. We filed the bill then, we filed the bill now, and just now, we finally realized we've got to put an end to this. So ironically, Shannon, here's how smart they are. They are targeting schools around military bases. That's what the evidence shows. But we think sunshine and transparency will hopefully make this problem go away. Well, it's alarming when you say military bases. Here on News Now, we've been covering this topic very, very closely. So much farmland in our country is purchased by the CCP, and now you're saying that they're focusing on the schools in that, and those stretches all across the country. The map is alarming, to your point. Meanwhile, the Heritage Foundation has written that these enemies did not seek to reform, but to destroy and replace. Congressman, what are they destroying and replacing? Love for our country and freedom? Well, they're taking away American values and American culture that should be taught. In fact, let's talk about what should be taught in schools. How about reading and math, where we're already a mediocre country in terms of our results. So we don't have time to teach China. But here's the most shocking thing, Shannon, is this. You would think everybody would agree that this is a problem. You would think everybody would agree parents have a right to know. Who doesn't agree with this? The 166 Democrats that voted no on this bill. It still passed, but we thought this would be one thing we could all rally together on. Think again if you think Democrats are going to support this legislation. And the reason you're alarmed by that is because you believe this is a national security issue. 100 percent. Absolutely. Let's say no to Chinese influence in our schools. But listen, Qatar and United Arab Emirates and other countries are getting in on the act. But China is the main one that has figured out a way that they can take over and influence young minds. TikTok is one, and just inserting themselves into the school district is another. Yeah. And very physically, like we mentioned, the farmland, all around our military bases and installations across the country. Your bill, though, shining this light on all foreign countries' donations. So you're not going to discriminate. You'll be able to trace through your TRACE Act. You'll be able to see exactly where any kind of funding came through for your school district, particularly those contributions, though, from any country designated a foreign entity of concern. As I mentioned, you believe it's a national security issue, but you also believe that this is trickling all the way up. It's not just K-12. You're saying it's our universities are getting some of this funding and then identifying to these foreign entities individuals who could be friendly to their government and work operatively in this country. Spot on. Spot on. They'll bring it in under the guise of cultural enrichment, but what it actually is, is Chinese propaganda. There are strings attached. These school districts need to know that, but they're hungry for universities. They're all hungry and think, oh, if there's free money coming. But again, our parents taught us there's no free lunch. Strings are attached. Let's focus teaching American values in American schools. And how about reading and writing, too? I want to ask you this, because we've watched the dust up at school board meetings for years now. It's one thing to identify through the TRACE Act, hey, we've got perhaps this curriculum or this entity that's influencing local schools or, to your point, universities and perhaps college professors. But when you stand up and fight the school districts or these university systems, sometimes, you know, you're standing there all alone. You look over your right and left shoulder and you're wondering who has your back. Does this bill do anything to help parents and students who are speaking up and speaking out? Well, it gives them the right to know. This information many times is swept under the rug and kept secret from parents. I think parents need to be involved. By the way, if you're a parent, be involved in your child's education, no matter how old they are. Make sure you know what they're learning, what they're being taught. Make sure they do their homework. So parents, I think if we empower parents, kids can soar once again under our education system. Just give them the right to know and the right to be involved. That's what this bill does. Representative Aaron Bean from the great state of Florida, good to have you on, sir. We'll be watching your Trace Act legislation as it moves forward. Appreciate your time.

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