Full Breakdown
House Ways and Means Committee Presses Singham-Linked Nonprofits Over Foreign-Influence Allegations
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), issued a final warning to two New York-based nonprofits—The People’s Forum Inc. and BreakThrough News—and to the broader network tied to tech entrepreneur Singham. The panel demanded the organizations turn over detailed financial records or face deposition of their leaders and staff. The ultimatum, delivered in October, follows the committee’s probe into whether millions flowing through Singham-affiliated tax-exempt entities are being used to advance Chinese Communist Party interests in the United States.
Background & Context
Singham, an American-born Marxist tech executive residing in Shanghai, sold his software firm ThoughtWorks in 2017 for an estimated $785 million. Investigations traced at least $278 million from Singham into six U.S. nonprofits that fund activist groups, media outlets, and think tanks promoting socialist, communist, and pro-China narratives. Of that sum, $22.44 million went to The People’s Forum, $16.76 million to the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, and $1.098 million to BreakThrough BT Media, the parent of BreakThrough News. The committee has cited roughly $40 million directed to the three primary nonprofits and an additional $3 million identified in a Fox News Digital investigation.
Official Statements & Responses
Rep. Smith asserted that “Shanghai Singham has poured millions of dollars into these groups to take advantage of America’s nonprofit sector and promote Chinese Communist Party propaganda. That much is public. What these groups are fighting to keep hidden is even more concerning.” The committee framed its inquiry as a test of whether existing tax laws adequately guard against foreign influence in the nonprofit arena.
The People’s Forum and BreakThrough News responded with letters accusing the panel of a “MAGA-led witch hunt” and of threatening staff with depositions to suppress First Amendment rights. Their attorneys emphasized that Singham is a U.S. citizen and challenged the foreign-influence rationale.
Criticism & Opposition
Press-freedom advocates condemned the subpoenas as an attack on journalistic independence. Ten organizations, including PEN America and the Society of Professional Journalists, called on the panel to drop the investigation and halt further subpoenas.
Data & Statistics
- ThoughtWorks sale: $785 million.
- Funds traced to Singham-linked nonprofits: $278 million.
- Allocations: $22.44 million (The People’s Forum), $16.76 million (Tricontinental), $1.098 million (BreakThrough BT Media).
- Combined total reported to the three nonprofits: ? $40 million; additional $3 million noted in a Fox News Digital probe.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is an escalation of the same MAGA-led witch-hunt,” — The People’s Forum
- “Rep. Smith's shameless targeting of BreakThrough News for editorial viewpoints that he dislikes shows a complete disregard of the First Amendment,” — Seth Stern, chief of advocacy, Freedom of the Press Foundation
- “Shanghai Singham has poured millions of dollars into these groups to take advantage of America's nonprofit sector and promote Chinese Communist Party propaganda. That much is public. What these groups are fighting to keep hidden is even more concerning,” — Jason Smith, chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
