“This puts Forbes in a unique position to collect and store sensitive personal data on these populations and influence their opinions,” they continued. “Further, foreign powers could use Forbes' wide reach to influence voters during close elections.
“This is especially significant as Forbes has published stories in recent years documenting the CCP’s influence over TikTok and participating in the ongoing genocide of the Uyghurs and other non-Han Chinese ethnic groups in Xinjiang. This reporting would undoubtedly be censored if Forbes is acquired by entities closely affiliated with the CCP.”
The GOP senators pointed out that foreign “adversaries have previously attempted to acquire Forbes” last year when “the CCP attempted to buy Forbes through Magnum Opus Acquisition Limited, a special-purpose acquisition company.”
“Fortunately, that effort was scuttled after the CCP’s involvement came to light,” Cotton and Rubio wrote.
“Our adversaries have tried to further obfuscate their efforts this time to evade scrutiny,” they continued. “Sun Group, an investment firm with reportedly close ties to both the Russian government and the CCP, has partnered with a Magomed Musaev, a former Kremlin propagandist, to acquire Forbes.”
The senators wrote that “Sun Group is reportedly attempting to present the buyout of Forbes as an American venture by employing U.S. surrogates” in the form of 28-year-old entrepreneur Austin Russell, who the senators note has “no media background.”