CodePink Takes Americans on a “Revolutionary” China Tour While a Federal Probe Into Its Funder Continues

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A Tour With a Political Message

This week, CodePink's co-founders Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans began guiding a group of paying participants through China. The group is a California-registered nonprofit. It advertises the trip as a chance to explore the country's "revolutionary" past and admire its modern infrastructure.

According to the group's own sign-up page, the tour lasts 12 days and 11 nights. It visits Shanghai, Chongqing, Zunyi, Loushanguan, Maotai Village and Guiyang. The price is estimated at $3,000 to $4,000 per person, depending on group size.

The itinerary leans heavily on political sites. It lists "Red Memorials" (monuments to the Communist Party's history), historical re-enactments, museums, state-built infrastructure and rural development projects. Participants are promised a welcome from local "comrades" in Shanghai.

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What Benjamin Is Telling Followers

In social media videos posted this week, Benjamin said she wants to show a China different from the one described in Washington. In a second clip, filmed outside a Chinese university, she praised the country's safety. She said it was "amazing" that people can leave a bike or umbrella unattended without fear of theft.

Everyday safety is a real part of life in many Chinese cities, and travelers often mention it. Critics argue that a tour built around memorials and showcase projects shows only one side of a one-party state. Such a program says little about censorship, surveillance or political prisoners.

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The Man Behind the Money

Neville Roy Singham is a 72-year-old American. He founded the software firm Thoughtworks and sold it in 2017 for an estimated $785 million. He now lives in Shanghai. Evans, CodePink's co-founder, is his wife. She reportedly married him in 2017.

A Fox News Digital investigation reports that Singham has channeled about $278 million since 2017 into a wide network of nonprofits. According to the same investigation, CodePink received roughly $1.3 million of that money. Those figures come from Fox's reporting and have not been confirmed by a court or a government agency.

Earlier media investigations, including by The New York Times, described how Singham put millions into activist groups. They also reported that he took part in events linked to the Chinese government. The groups he supports are active in protests against immigration enforcement, U.S. foreign policy and Israel.

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The Federal Investigation

In June, Fox News first reported that a federal grand jury in Manhattan was examining Singham's finances. The probe is led by Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. It was reportedly authorized by Todd Blanche, the acting Attorney General.

According to reports, prosecutors are looking at possible wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. They are reviewing money that allegedly passed through shell companies and a donor-advised fund (a charitable account managed by a third party) before reaching nonprofits. Subpoenas for bank records have reportedly been issued.

A grand jury only decides whether charges are justified. It is not a finding of guilt. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against Singham or any of the organizations involved.

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Politicians and Experts React

Republican lawmakers have publicly backed the investigation. Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana gave a Senate floor speech arguing that Singham's network helps China wage "political warfare" against the United States. Rep. Jason Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, called the probe overdue. His committee opened its own inquiry into the network last year.

China analyst Gordon Chang told The National News Desk that the activity fits the Chinese Communist Party's "united front" strategy. That is Beijing's long-running effort to win influence abroad through friendly groups and individuals. He also said investigators should check whether Singham complied with the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires people acting for foreign governments to register.

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The Other Side

CodePink and Singham reject the accusations. Singham says his actions follow his own political beliefs. Benjamin has said that CodePink takes no money from the Chinese Communist Party. CodePink was founded in 2002 as an anti-war group. Its public message includes the view that China is not an enemy of the United States.

Those denials matter. So far, the allegations of foreign direction remain claims made by critics and officials, not proven facts.

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What Comes Next

The tour continues while the grand jury's work goes on. Prosecutors may decide to file charges or close the matter. Either outcome will shape how Americans view the links between wealthy donors, activist groups and Beijing.

The case also raises a wider question: how much transparency should tax-exempt nonprofits owe the public about where their money comes from, especially when it comes from abroad?

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Sources

1. Fox News: "CodePink launches China tour as grand jury investigation into Singham network funding continues" – https://www.foxnews.com/politics/codepink-launches-china-tour-grand-jury-investigation-singham-network-funding-continues
2. JNS: "Justice Dept launches grand jury probe into Shanghai-based businessman over nonprofit funding network" – https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/justice-dept-launches-grand-jury-probe-into-shanghai-based-businessman-over-nonprofit-funding-network
3. Washington Examiner (via Denver Gazette): "China-based megadonor funding leftist activism now under DOJ investigation" – https://www.denvergazette.com/?p=559785
4. TNND / KOMO News: "Expert explains CCP's strategy following DOJ inquiry of billionaire Neville Roy Singham" – https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/expert-explains-ccps-strategy-following-doj-inquiry-of-billionaire-neville-roy-singham-china-tech-organization-communist-party-code-pink
5. Fox News: "Senator targets alleged China-linked Singham network in fiery floor speech" – https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-senator-targets-alleged-ccp-linked-singham-network-senate-floor-speech-china.amp
6. Wikipedia: "Code Pink" (background on the organization) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_Pink

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