Podcast Summary: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

Episode: The Truth with Lisa Booth: How China Tried to Shape the 2020 U.S. Election with Gordon Chang
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Description: Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics, and current events with intelligence and humor. This episode features Lisa Booth interviewing renowned China expert Gordon Chang about China's global ambitions and attempts to influence the 2020 U.S. election.

Introduction to the Discussion

[02:48] Lisa Booth:
Lisa Booth welcomes Gordon Chang to "The Truth with Lisa Booth," emphasizing the critical nature of China's global strategies and their impact on the United States. She introduces the main topics, including China's partnership with Iran, espionage activities, bioweapons threats, and attempts to influence the 2020 U.S. election.

China's Partnership with Iran and Middle Eastern Dynamics

[04:12] Gordon Chang:
Gordon Chang provides an in-depth analysis of the 25-year strategic comprehensive partnership agreement between China and Iran initiated in 2021, outlining China's commitment to invest $400 billion in Iran. He highlights China's initial dominance in the Middle East but notes a recent "stunning reversal of fortunes" where China has lost key allies like Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar, and now Iran due to escalating tensions and conflicts.

Notable Quote:
"China is just in disarray in the Middle East, where once it looked like it was going to take over." – Gordon Chang [07:00]

Impact of U.S. Leadership on China's Influence

[08:11] Lisa Booth:
Lisa discusses how President Trump's diplomacy has strengthened U.S. alliances in the Middle East, countering China's influence. She asks Chang about the repercussions of Trump's strategic moves on China's ambitions.

[09:15] Gordon Chang:
Chang explains the vulnerability of China due to its heavy reliance on oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz, noting Iran's recent move to close the Strait poses a significant threat to China's economy.

Notable Quote:
"China is lost its friends in the Middle East." – Gordon Chang [08:30]

Chinese Espionage and Migration Acts

[10:49] Gordon Chang:
Chang delves into the surge of Chinese migrants entering the U.S. during the Biden administration, suggesting many were linked to the Chinese military. He warns of potential espionage and imminent threats, including attempts to infiltrate U.S. military bases and infrastructure.

Notable Quote:
"We should assume that one of the first signs that there will be war in East Asia will be actually an attack on the United States from our own soil." – Gordon Chang [12:00]

China's Attempts to Influence the 2020 U.S. Election

[23:22] Lisa Booth:
Booth brings up FBI Director Cash Patel's declassified documents alleging China's efforts to influence the 2020 election through counterfeit driver's licenses purportedly aimed at supporting Joe Biden.

[24:01] Gordon Chang:
Chang confirms China's extensive involvement in the 2020 election, including support for Biden through social media propaganda, counterfeiting currency, smuggling weapons parts, and encouraging violent protests via tailored content.

Notable Quote:
"One can argue that China elected Joe Biden in 2020." – Gordon Chang [25:11]

Financial Entanglements and Political Influence

[26:32] Gordon Chang:
Chang discusses the financial ties between the Biden family and China, citing over $2.3 million in questionable funds to Hunter Biden and suggesting these were intended to exert influence over Joe Biden.

Notable Quote:
"They [the Chinese regime] poured something like 2.3 million dollars into the hands of Hunter Biden... they were trying to bribe the Biden family." – Gordon Chang [26:32]

Agroterrorism and Bioweapons Threats

[30:42] Lisa Booth:
Booth shifts the conversation to China's attempts at agroterrorism, including efforts to smuggle toxic fungi into the U.S. to devastate American agriculture.

[31:16] Gordon Chang:
Chang explains that China’s actions aim to cripple U.S. agriculture through genetically modified pathogens, categorizing these acts as "unrestricted warfare" and "acts of war."

Notable Quote:
"This was an attack on the United States. This was an act of war." – Gordon Chang [33:44]

Tariffs and Economic Decoupling from China

[39:08] Lisa Booth:
Booth inquires about the ongoing tariff battles between the U.S. and China, and the feasibility of economically disentangling from China.

[39:31] Gordon Chang:
Chang advocates for high tariffs to penalize China for intellectual property theft and predatory trade practices. He supports strategic decoupling, emphasizing the necessity of reducing economic dependency on China.

Notable Quote:
"President Trump needs to actually impose some severe costs on China for violating that agreement." – Gordon Chang [39:31]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

[42:52] Lisa Booth:
As the conversation wraps up, Lisa emphasizes the urgency of addressing China's aggressive strategies and acknowledges President Trump’s role in countering these threats.

[43:02] Gordon Chang:
Chang reiterates the need for a unified American effort to support strong leadership and counter China's pervasive and multifaceted threats.

Notable Quote:
"We are on the edge of pretty catastrophic events and President Trump can stop it, but we need to have the American public behind him." – Gordon Chang [34:13]

Key Takeaways

• China's Strategic Partnerships: China's alliance with Iran and their impact on Middle Eastern stability.
• Espionage and Infiltration: Increased Chinese espionage activities and concerns about national security in the U.S.
• Election Interference: Alleged Chinese efforts to influence the 2020 U.S. election in favor of Joe Biden.
• Economic Warfare: The importance of tariffs and strategic decoupling to reduce U.S. economic reliance on China.
• Bioweapons and Agroterrorism: China's attempts to undermine U.S. agriculture through biological threats.
• Leadership and Policy: The critical role of strong U.S. leadership in countering China's global ambitions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "China is just in disarray in the Middle East, where once it looked like it was going to take over." – Gordon Chang [07:00]
• "China has been providing diplomatic support, propaganda support, and China takes more than 90% of Iran's exports of crude oil. You put this all together. China has lost its friends in the Middle East." – Gordon Chang [07:30]
• "One can argue that China elected Joe Biden in 2020." – Gordon Chang [25:11]
• "This was an attack on the United States. This was an act of war." – Gordon Chang [33:44]
• "We are on the edge of pretty catastrophic events and President Trump can stop it, but we need to have the American public behind him." – Gordon Chang [34:13]

This episode provides a comprehensive examination of China's efforts to expand its global influence, particularly in relation to the United States. Gordon Chang offers a critical perspective on the multifaceted threats posed by China's strategic maneuvers in politics, economy, and security. The discussion underscores the necessity for robust U.S. policies and unified public support to effectively counter and mitigate these challenges.