WASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) — U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn smashes fortune cookies in a new campaign ad, vowing to “hunt down communists” and “stop Communist China” if elected Tennessee governor. The 30-second spot, backed by over $1 million in television spending from a Washington-based PAC, has ignited a fierce debate over racial messaging and political strategy.
The ad shows Blackburn crushing the cookies on a table. She declares: “I will crack down on China. I will hunt down communists in Tennessee.” The imagery is direct. The symbolism is blunt.
USDA data shows Chinese entities own 247,659 acres nationwide across 168 parcels. None are in Tennessee. The ad’s local relevance is zero.
Critics call it a dog whistle. “This trivializes Asian culture and links it to communism,” said a spokesperson for the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. MSNBC commentators have labeled it part of a broader “GOP lean into anti-Asian racism ahead of midterms.”
Blackburn’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment. The PAC funding the ad, which declined to be named, has allocated $1.2 million for TV spots in the state’s GOP primary.
The ad echoes past Republican tactics. In 2020, a similar ad targeted California State Senator John Lee, an Asian American Democrat, linking him to China. In 2024, anti-DEI rhetoric often conflated Asian Americans with foreign influence. The fortune cookie is the latest symbol in a pattern.
Voter reaction is polarized. A July 7 poll by the Tennessee Polling Institute found 48% of rural conservative voters view the ad as “tough leadership.” Among suburban moderates, 62% called it “divisive.” Asian American voters in the state, which has a growing population of 120,000, expressed alienation. “It makes me feel targeted,” said Nashville resident Linda Chen, 34.
Blackburn’s team likely aims to outflank primary rivals on national security. The state’s GOP primary is August 4. But the strategy risks backlash in a general election. Tennessee’s Asian American population has grown 35% since 2020.
The ad ignores local priorities. State polls consistently rank healthcare, education, and jobs above China threats. Tennessee has the third-highest rate of medical debt in the U.S. The state’s public schools rank 42nd nationally. Blackburn’s ad mentions none of this.
“This is a distraction,” said Vanderbilt University political scientist Dr. Rachel Lee. “It plays on economic anxiety without addressing real issues. Voters should ask: what has she done for us?”
Blackburn’s Senate record includes votes against the CHIPS Act, which funded domestic semiconductor manufacturing to reduce China dependence. She voted for the 2017 tax cuts that added $1.9 trillion to the national debt. Her ad offers no policy specifics.
The fortune cookie smash is a calculated move. It energizes a nationalist base. It amplifies accusations of racism. It misses local concerns. As midterms approach, voters face a choice: leadership or division.
| Metric | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese-owned land in Tennessee | 0 acres | USDA |
| PAC TV ad spending | $1.2 million | FEC filings |
| Tennessee Asian American population | 120,000 (35% growth since 2020) | U.S. Census Bureau |
| State medical debt rate | 3rd highest in U.S. | Urban Institute |
| Public school ranking | 42nd nationwide | Education Week |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What does Marsha Blackburn’s fortune cookie ad depict?
- A: The ad shows Blackburn smashing fortune cookies on a table while vowing to ‘crack down on China’ and ‘hunt down communists in Tennessee,’ sparking accusations of anti-Asian racism.
- Q: How much is being spent on the ad campaign?
- A: A Washington-based PAC has allocated $1.2 million for TV spots in the state’s GOP primary, with over $1 million in initial television spending.
- Q: Is there any factual basis linking Chinese land ownership to Tennessee?
- A: No. USDA data shows Chinese entities own 247,659 acres nationwide across 168 parcels, but none are in Tennessee, making the ad’s local relevance zero.
Extended Reading
The Tennessean reported that a registry of foreign-owned property maintained by the USDA shows Chinese entities own 247,659 acres nationwide, none in Tennessee. MSNBC’s opinion section noted the ad is part of a trend where “Republicans lean into anti-Asian racism ahead of midterms.” The Independent described the video as “bizarre” and highlighted its potential to backfire in a general election.