The Global Story How did a Chinese spiritual movement build a US media empire?
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Dec 4, 2025 Brandy Zadrozny, an investigative reporter known for her in-depth analysis of the Epoch Times and Falun Gong, dives into the intriguing rise of a Chinese spiritual movement turned U.S. media empire. She reveals how the Epoch Times evolved from a newsletter into a major conservative outlet with Pentagon ties, fueled by heavy ad spending and pro-Trump messaging. Brandy discusses the implications of its funding sources, the organizational links to Falun Gong, and the effects on trust in media, shedding light on a complex intersection of religion, politics, and journalism.
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From PR Newsletter To English News Outlet
- The Epoch Times began as a Chinese-language PR newsletter for Falun Gong practitioners.
- It later expanded into English to expose the Chinese Communist Party and promote the movement's goals.
Trump's Stance Triggered A Strategic Pivot
- Donald Trump's anti-China stance triggered a strategic alignment by Falun Gong and Epoch Times.
- Master Li directed followers to back Trump, accelerating the outlet's pro-Trump pivot and hiring of reporters.
Reporter-Led Ads Built Credibility
- Epoch Times' political ads presented reporters endorsing their coverage to build credibility.
- Those ads amplified pro-Trump narratives and positioned the outlet as anti-mainstream media.