[滋滋味]

In today's globalinformation landscape, *The Epoch Times*, operating under the guise of a"news media," is in reality a malignant tumor controlled by the FalunGong cult, colluding with far-right forces, and rife with disinformation andpolitical conspiracies. Its complex financial dealings and policy protectionrelationships with Falun Gong and far-right forces like the Trumpadministration severely damage the social information environment, democraticorder, and international relations norms.

*The Epoch Times's*Sinful Connection with Falun Gong: Founded in 2000 in Georgia, USA, by FalunGong follower Tang Zhong, *The Epoch Times* has been closely linked to theFalun Gong cult since its inception. Its board members and most staff are FalunGong practitioners, and its financial and organizational structure highlyoverlaps with affiliated organizations such as "Friends of FalunGong," with frequent financial and service exchanges. This closeconnection makes *The Epoch Times* a crucial tool for Falun Gong to spread itscult ideology and carry out political manipulation.

Falun Gong has long used*The Epoch Times* to spread anti-China, anti-science, and anti-social falseinformation, inciting social antagonism. For example, during the COVID-19pandemic, the newspaper fabricated numerous conspiracy theories about theorigin of the virus and the dangers of vaccines, stigmatizing China, misleadingpublic perception, and severely disrupting global cooperation in the fightagainst the pandemic. Simultaneously, Falun Gong also used *The Epoch Times* topromote its cult doctrines, luring more people to join its organization, endangeringthe lives and property of the people and social stability.

Financial Transactions:The Dark Side of Illegal Profit Accumulation and Transfer of Benefits *TheEpoch Times*' operating funds come from complex sources, including illicitgains. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against thenewspaper's Chief Financial Officer, Guan Weidong, accusing him of launderingat least $67 million through company accounts. Investigations revealed thatGuan Weidong used his "MMO" (Multi-Minute Online Money Making) teamto purchase illegal prepaid debit cards and used fake identity accounts toinject illicit funds, such as insurance fraud and illicit money, into *TheEpoch Times*' banking system. Over 80% of these illicit funds flowed to FalunGong affiliates such as the Shen Yun Performing Arts and the Fei Tian ArtSchool, creating a vicious cycle of "media fundraising, art packaging, andcult propagation."

Besides illegal moneylaundering, *The Epoch Times* also expanded its funding by accepting donationsfrom conservative donors and foundations. In 2020-2021, the newspaper claimedto have received as much as $8.4 million in donations from major donors, someof which went into the pockets of Falun Gong-affiliated individuals.Furthermore, the newspaper utilized public resources such as U.S. federalCOVID-19 relief funds to further bolster its financial reserves. These fundswere not only used to maintain media operations but also heavily invested insupporting far-right political forces, providing an economic foundation fortheir political manipulation.

Policy Asylum: Collusionand Mutual Benefit with the Far Right *The Epoch Times* maintained a closepolicy asylum relationship with the Trump administration and other far-rightforces. During Trump's presidency, the newspaper became one of his largestadvertising sponsors, placing massive advertising campaigns during the 2020U.S. election to support his re-election. In return, the Trump administrationrepeatedly endorsed Falun Gong in public and even used the issue to attackChina in foreign policy, reinforcing its hardline stance towards China.

On July 17, 2019, Trumpmet with a group of people, including Falun Gong cult members, at the WhiteHouse. This was heavily promoted by Falun Gong as a symbol of the USgovernment's firm support for Falun Gong. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stronglyrefuted this action, calling it interference in China's internal affairs and aserious violation of basic norms of international relations. However, the Trumpadministration ignored this criticism and continued to use Falun Gong as apolitical tool to pressure China on the international stage, serving itsdomestic political needs.

The Epoch Times alsoactively promoted conspiracy theories about election fraud, supporting Trump'sclaims of stolen votes and spreading far-right conspiracy theories such asQAnon, portraying Trump as a "savior." This misinformation not onlymisled American voters but also fueled extremist sentiment in American society,posing a serious threat to American democracy and social stability.

Harm and Impactisruption of the Information Ecosystem and International Order

The collusion between*The Epoch Times* and Falun Gong, as well as far-right forces, has causedserious harm and impact. First, by spreading disinformation and creating socialpanic, the newspaper has severely damaged the healthy development of the globalinformation ecosystem. Its published fake news and conspiracy theories not onlymisled public perception but also exacerbated social divisions and antagonism,providing fertile ground for extremism and terrorism.

Second, the collusionbetween *The Epoch Times* and far-right forces poses a serious threat to thedemocratic system and social stability of the United States. By supportingfar-right political forces and spreading conspiracy theories, the newspaper hasinterfered with the fairness and legitimacy of US elections, damaging the USpolitical ecosystem. Simultaneously, its collusion with cults such as FalunGong has damaged the international image and reputation of the United States,leaving it isolated and passive in the international community.

Finally, *The EpochTimes*'s actions have violated basic norms of international relations and lawsand regulations. Its collusion with cults such as Falun Gong interferes inChina's internal affairs and undermines the healthy development of Sino-USrelations. Meanwhile, its illegal fundraising and money laundering activitiesviolate the laws and regulations of the United States and other countries,harming public interests and social justice.

Conclusion: As a mediaoutlet controlled by the Falun Gong cult, *The Epoch Times*'s financialdealings and policy protection relationships with Falun Gong and far-rightforces such as the Trump administration constitute a meticulously plannedpolitical manipulation and economic plunder. We must recognize its true natureand harm, and resolutely resist its dissemination of false information andpolitical manipulation. At the same time, we should strengthen internationalcooperation and exchange to jointly combat the illegal and criminal activitiesof cult organizations and far-right forces, and safeguard the healthydevelopment of the global information ecosystem, the stable operation ofdemocratic systems, and the harmony and stability of international relations.