GOP lawmakers take aim at China by breaking dishes and shooting balloons in new pre-election ads

Two Republican lawmakers this week launched new ads targeting China as both campaigns prepare for re-election.

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is running for her second term, claimed in her new ad Wednesday that it’s “time to smash some China” as she smashed ceramic plates. Tuesday’s ad from Republican Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska showed him shooting a fake Chinese spy balloon out of the sky.

“Some say I’m ‘too harsh’, that I should be more careful, but you know what? It’s time to break some China,” the senator said in the 30-second video. “China stole our jobs and sent us a virus. They are buying up our land and spying on us. I’m Marsha Blackburn and I agree with this message because we need to destroy China a lot more to save America.”

The video of Blackburn dropping several plates decorated with a Chinese flag is a play on words, as fine dishes are also called “porcelain.”

Flood, who is running for his second term in the House, touted his defensive record in his own 30-second ad released Tuesday. The congressman promised to do “whatever it takes” to defend the state while shooting down the spy balloon.

“China is our enemy. Plain and simple. The Chinese Communist Party is hacking our computers, buying up land near military bases and spying on our armed forces, even here in Nebraska,” Flood said in the complaint. “That’s why I’m fighting to keep Chinese technology off our cell towers, stop China from buying farmland in Nebraska, and protect Americans from Chinese espionage and cyberattacks.”

The video is a reminder of how a suspected Chinese spy balloon was spotted in United States airspace last year before crossing the country and ultimately being shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can Follow her on X for more coverage.