From a basement startup to a global media empire with massive revenues
In short: In 2000, a graduate student began a newspaper in his basement to bypass Chinese censorship. Decades later, this publication has transformed into a multi-language powerhouse, commanding massive social media audiences and navigating intense political controversy and financial indictments.
Founded by John Tang and other Chinese Americans, The Epoch Times began as a response to the repression of the Falun Gong movement in China. While the organization maintains it is an independent, public-interest news outlet, researchers and former employees have noted its deep ideological and organizational ties to the Falun Gong spiritual movement. The publication's editorial direction has historically focused on criticizing the Chinese Communist Party and promoting the interests of affiliated groups like the Shen Yun dance troupe.
The newspaper's political footprint shifted significantly around 2016. Previously focused on Chinese-related issues, it began promoting ultraconservative views and providing favorable coverage for figures such as Donald Trump. During the 2020 U.S. election, it became a major force in digital advertising, at one point serving as the second-largest funder of pro-Trump Facebook ads. Its digital reach is immense, with its media group accumulating billions of views across platforms like YouTube and Facebook.
However, this rapid expansion has been shadowed by legal and financial scrutiny. In 2024, the group's CFO, Bill Guan, was indicted for a transnational money laundering scheme that allegedly used cryptocurrency to inflate the company's revenue. Furthermore, the organization has faced criticism for promoting various conspiracy theories, including QAnon and climate change denial. Despite these challenges, the publication remains a dominant force in the digital news landscape, often outperforming traditional news apps in popularity.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Epoch Times
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