Chinese government deploying online influencers amid Beijing Olympics boycotts

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December 16, 2021
This week in money-in-politics
Chinese government deploying online influencers amid Beijing Olympics boycotts


A Chinese government digital operation is recruiting social media influencers amid controversies over boycotts of the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
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Happy Holidays!

Next week, keep an eye out for our "Best of" wrap-up of our most popular stories from 2021. Our offices — remote and otherwise! — will be closed from Friday, December 24 until Friday, December 31, to allow our team to enjoy the season with friends and family. We will re-open Monday, January 3.

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Mark Meadows, Trump’s former chief of staff, held in criminal contempt of Congress

The former White House chief of staff served in Congress for nearly four terms and was a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus.

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Theranos ramped up lobbying operation as it faced scrutiny from regulators

Theranos’ founder now faces criminal charges for defrauding investors, doctors and patients.

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Conservative ‘dark money’ group raised record $50M in 2020 after election rebranding

A conservative “dark money” group raised at least $50 million in 2020 after it rebranded and added an alias focused on elections.

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Saudi arms deal advances amid foreign influence operation and defense lobbying

The Senate allowed a $650 million arms deal to move forward — a win for Saudi Arabia and defense industry interests.

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Conservative members of Congress share Christmas photos with guns, receive donations from pro-gun rights groups

After a deadly mass shooting, members of Congress who received money from gun rights groups shared photos with large guns.

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OpenSecrets in the News

See our media citations from outlets around the nation this week:



** Manchin cites a blind trust to justify climate votes. But much income from his family’s coal company isn’t covered. (The Washington Post) ([link removed])

Between 2011 and 2020, Manchin earned $4.8 million from Enersystems, according to a tally by OpenSecrets. His net worth as of 2020 was between $4.4 million and $12.8 million, the center said.

** At least 15 lawmakers who shape US defense policy have investments in military contractors (Business Insider) ([link removed])

Altogether, Tuberville's campaign received $89,100 in contributions from defense-sector PACs and employees when he ran for office in 2020, according to OpenSecrets.

** Biden nominates megadonor and former Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman to be ambassador to Kenya (CNBC) ([link removed])

Data from the nonpartisan OpenSecrets shows that well over a dozen Obama campaign supporters became ambassadors during his administration. Biden previously picked donor Tom Nides, a former executive at Morgan Stanley who had a stint in the Obama administration, to be the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Former President Donald Trump also chose ambassadors to various countries after they contributed to his campaign.
** The Guardian ([link removed])
** Roll Call ([link removed])
** Politico ([link removed])
** The Hill ([link removed])
** The Daily Beast ([link removed])
** Inequality.org ([link removed])
** Newsweek ([link removed])
** Sludge ([link removed])
** Gizmodo ([link removed])
** The Nevada Independent ([link removed])
** CU-Citizens Access ([link removed])
** Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])


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