UC Berkeley caught hiding hundreds of millions in Chinese money while possibly handing over American technology to the communist regime.
At a Glance
- UC Berkeley is under federal investigation for allegedly failing to disclose hundreds of millions in Chinese donations and sharing “important technology”
- The university reportedly failed to report $220 million from the Chinese government for a joint Tsinghua-Berkeley Institute in Shenzhen
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon slammed the Biden-Harris administration for “turning a blind eye” to foreign influence on American campuses
- The investigation is part of Trump’s executive order to curb foreign influence in U.S. universities, with a focus on national security concerns
- Berkeley has 30 days to comply with federal record requests as investigators examine potential technology transfers to Chinese state entities
Another Elite University Caught in Bed with China
Well, folks, it looks like another bastion of leftist academia has been caught with its hand in the Chinese cookie jar. The Department of Education announced on April 25 that UC Berkeley is under investigation for allegedly hiding hundreds of millions of dollars in donations from Chinese entities and—even more alarming—potentially sharing information about an “important technology.” Because nothing says “America First” quite like taking communist cash and giving away our technological edge to our greatest geopolitical adversary, right?
The University of California, Berkeley, is under investigation for allegedly not reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in donations from a Chinese entity and allegedly sharing information about an “important technology,” the Department of Education announced on April 25.
The…
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) April 26, 2025
Let’s be crystal clear: the law requires universities to disclose foreign donations of $250,000 or more twice a year. It’s not rocket science. Yet somehow Berkeley allegedly “forgot” to report a whopping $220 million received from the Chinese government for its Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute. That’s not a rounding error or an oversight—that’s deliberate deception that makes one wonder exactly what they were trying to hide. The university now has 30 days to comply with federal record requests, but given their track record, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Biden Administration’s Willful Negligence
Education Secretary Linda McMahon didn’t mince words when she pointed out that this investigation exposes the Biden administration’s complete failure to protect American educational institutions from foreign influence. “The Biden-Harris administration turned a blind eye to colleges and universities’ legal obligations by deprioritizing oversight and allowing foreign gifts to pour onto American campuses,” McMahon declared, calling out the administration’s willful negligence in maintaining our nation’s sovereignty and security.
“The Biden-Harris Administration turned a blind eye to colleges and universities’ legal obligations by deprioritizing oversight and allowing foreign gifts to pour onto American campuses.” – Education Secretary Linda McMahon
McMahon further noted that “despite widespread compliance failures, no new Section 117 investigations were initiated for four years, and ongoing investigations were closed prematurely.” That’s right—while Chinese money flowed freely into our universities, potentially compromising our national security, the Biden administration decided that enforcing the law was just too much work. An October 2020 report found that universities had failed to report over $6.5 billion in foreign gifts and contracts. Billion with a B, folks.
National Security Implications Can’t Be Ignored
This isn’t just about paperwork violations or accounting irregularities. The probe will examine whether U.S. technologies were transferred to Chinese state-linked entities—a direct threat to our national security and technological advantage. Republican members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party have highlighted concerns about U.S. tax dollars inadvertently aiding China’s technological and military advancements. When universities take money from hostile foreign governments, the strings attached often lead to compromised research integrity and even espionage.
“The University of California, Berkeley, is under investigation for allegedly not reporting hundreds of millions of dollars in donations from a Chinese entity and allegedly sharing information about an ‘important technology,’ the Department of Education announced on April 25.” – Department of Education
UC Berkeley’s mealy-mouthed response that it “engage[s] only in research whose results are always openly disseminated around the world” offers little comfort. The university claims it’s no longer affiliated with the Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, but that’s like claiming you’re no longer dating someone after they’ve already moved into your apartment and copied your house keys. The damage may already be done, and the American people deserve to know exactly what technology might have been handed over to a regime that openly seeks to supplant the United States as the world’s leading power.
Trump’s Executive Order Finally Being Enforced
Thank goodness President Trump had the foresight to sign an executive order targeting this exact problem. The investigation into UC Berkeley is part of a broader effort following Trump’s order to curb foreign influence in American universities. The Trump administration initiated at least 19 probes into universities over foreign funding, but many were stalled during the Biden years. One probe did lead to the conviction of a Harvard professor for ties to a Chinese recruitment program—proving these investigations aren’t just political theater but necessary safeguards against real threats.
U.S. universities have received more than $19.6 billion in foreign donations or contracts since 2014, with significant amounts from Qatar, China, and Saudi Arabia. While there are no laws against accepting foreign donations, disclosure is mandatory for a reason—transparency keeps everyone honest. The University of Texas is cited as a model for compliance with these reporting regulations, showing it’s entirely possible to follow the law if you actually want to. Berkeley’s failure to do so speaks volumes about its priorities and raises serious questions about what else they might be hiding.
