Peter Schweizer’s book Blood Money: Why the Powerful Turn a Blind Eye While China Kills Americans, published in 2024, is a political narrative that develops Schweizer’s theories about corruption and foreign interference in the United States, focusing primarily on the relationship between American elites and China. Schweizer, a conservative investigative journalist and political counselor, is known for his work on divulging financial dealings and potential conflicts of interest of high-profile figures in the landscape of American politics, such as Hilary Clinton and Hunter Biden.

Schweizer’s expertise lies in elaborating accounts regarding political corruption and foreign intrusion. Blood Money follows in the vein of his previous works, such as Clinton Cash and Red Handed, which function as character assassinations, particularly of prominent Democrats. Blood Money is part of the political conspiracy sub-genre and centers the idea that American politicians, particularly those on the left, have compromised national security by allowing China to infiltrate and destabilize the US through various methods, including drug warfare, information campaigns, and others. This guide explores the themes like Covert Manipulation and Disinformation Campaigns, the Interconnection of Organized Crime and State Interests, and The Erosion of American Values Through Foreign Interference.

This guide references the 2023 HarperCollins e-book edition.

Note: Readers should be aware that the book contains strong allegations of political corruption and foreign sabotage, with language that reflects the conspiratorial and accusatory tone of right-wing media discourse. The author provides distorted accounts and information, utilizes disinformation tactics, and relies heavily on misleading rhetoric.

Summary

In the Introduction to Blood Money, Peter Schweizer claims that China poses a significant, unconventional threat to the US, engaging in “unrestricted warfare” using tactics inspired by Sun Tzu to weaken the country without traditional combat. He highlights China’s alleged use of cyber-attacks, propaganda, illegal drugs like fentanyl, and espionage, such as the 2023 Chinese spy balloon, to destabilize America. Schweizer argues that the Chinese Communist Party exploits American vulnerabilities and claims US elites are compromised by financial ties to China, preventing decisive action. He promises to reveal political corruption aiding China’s strategy over the course of his book.

In Chapter 1, Schweizer criticizes President Joe Biden for not addressing the fentanyl crisis during a 2022 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Schweizer claims China’s production of fentanyl precursor chemicals is part of a broader strategy to undermine the US through unconventional warfare, comparing it to a weapon of mass destruction. He draws historical parallels to the Opium Wars and alleges that China has long weaponized drugs, including heroin, to weaken enemy nations. Schweizer argues that US administrations, particularly under Nixon, prioritized improving relations with China over confronting its alleged role in drug trafficking.

In Chapter 2, Schweizer alleges that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) forged alliances with Chinese organized crime groups, or triads, starting in 1982, and facilitated drug trafficking to weaken the US. He claims that Chinese leaders, including Deng Xiaoping, met with triad-linked Hong Kong tycoons to consolidate these ties. Schweizer accuses US administrations, including those of George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and John Kerry, of ignoring China’s criminal activities due to economic and geopolitical interests. He further argues that triads, protected by local Communist leaders, expanded their global drug trade during Xi Jinping’s tenure as governor of Fujian. He asserts that, by the early 2000s, Chinese triads shifted to synthetic drugs like methamphetamines and fentanyl, with the People’s Liberation Army allegedly involved. He argues that Chinese companies, including those owned by the state, supplied Mexican cartels with fentanyl precursors, and triads collaborated with cartels to smuggle drugs into the US.

In Chapter 3, Schweizer argues that the US government’s response to the fentanyl crisis has been weak. He criticizes Barack Obama’s administration for its diplomatic approach to China—despite evidence linking China to the fentanyl epidemic—and highlights the ineffectiveness of attempts to curb fentanyl exports, including a 2016 agreement. Schweizer claims financial ties between Washington elites and China, including those of politicians like Adam Schiff, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Mitch McConnell, have hindered efforts to confront Beijing. He also alleges that Joe Biden, despite past criticism of China’s drug trade, deliberately softened his stance due to financial connections involving his son, Hunter Biden.

In Chapter 4, Schweizer claims that China is fueling gun violence in the US by exporting illegal devices that convert legal firearms into machine guns. He states that since 2018, thousands of auto sear switches have been shipped from China, leading to a rise in machine-gun violence. Schweizer alleges that these devices are sold on Chinese websites, mislabeled to evade detection, and routed through Mexico to bypass inspections.

In Chapter 5, Schweizer argues that China exploits social unrest in the US, particularly racial divisions, to destabilize the country. He claims the CCP used espionage—for example, through the Houston consulate—to influence movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM), disregarding any legitimate concerns addressed by them. Schweizer believes China infiltrated these movements to worsen racial tensions. He draws parallels with the CCP’s past support of radical groups, such as the Black Panther Party, in the 1960s. Schweizer also alleges that groups with ties to China fueled violence during 2020 protests, citing the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Party for Socialism and Liberation as examples.

In Chapter 6, Schweizer discusses China’s alleged intelligence operations in the US, claiming that Chinese officers posing as academics manipulated social media, especially TikTok, during the 2020 protests. Schweizer argues that China used fake Twitter accounts to amplify societal division, spreading messages of civil unrest and disgust, which Chinese strategists believe destabilizes nations more effectively than anger. He claims China exploits racial and political tensions and highlights figures like Neville Roy Singham, who allegedly funds pro-China leftist groups. He also accuses organizations like CODEPINK of promoting Beijing’s agenda while ignoring Chinese human rights abuses.

In Chapter 7, Schweizer argues that TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is a tool for psychological manipulation, particularly targeting children in the West. He notes instances when TikTok videos incited fear among young users, such as during the Russia-Sweden conflict, suggesting the app’s algorithm is weaponized for cognitive warfare. Schweizer links TikTok to mass sociogenic illness, claiming it contributes to neurological issues in children, such as nervous tics. He criticizes TikTok’s addictive design, which allegedly harms cognitive development and promotes shallow content, contrasting it with China’s version, Douyin, which promotes educational material. Schweizer claims TikTok is part of a broader Chinese strategy to manipulate perceptions, gather user data, and undermine Western society, while American celebrities and institutions promote the app without recognizing its alleged ties to Chinese propaganda.

In Chapter 8, Schweizer argues that Chinese companies like Tencent and ByteDance use video games as tools for propaganda and data collection, especially targeting US youth. He claims these companies, with ties to the Chinese government, dominate the global market by acquiring producers like Riot Games and Epic Games. Schweizer suggests that, like TikTok, these games employ addictive mechanisms and gather personal data, accessible by the Chinese government under its cybersecurity laws. He also claims the games promote Chinese values and narratives as part of a broader propaganda strategy.

In Chapter 9, Schweizer argues that the CCP has gained influence in Hollywood through financial investments and co-productions with major studios like Universal and DreamWorks. He claims these deals lead to censorship and the promotion of pro-CCP messages in films. Schweizer provides examples, such as changes made to films like Doctor Strange and The Martian, to avoid offending Beijing and align with China’s political goals. He also criticizes filmmakers like Steven Spielberg for compromising Hollywood’s creative independence by embracing Chinese investments despite prior concerns over human rights.

In Chapter 10, Schweizer argues that the CCP exploited the COVID-19 pandemic for political and economic advantage. He claims the CCP concealed early outbreak information, allowing the virus to spread globally, while China secured vital resources. Schweizer alleges that Chinese leaders saw the pandemic as an opportunity to challenge Western democracies, promoting authoritarian governance as superior to Western systems. He criticizes Western leaders for failing to hold China accountable, highlighting China’s control over medical supplies and influence on global responses, such as advocating for strict lockdowns based on flawed data from Imperial College London. Schweizer suggests that these measures, supported by media and political figures, harmed civil liberties and economic stability while advancing China’s strategic goals.

In Chapter 11, Schweizer alleges that US officials, including Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins, downplayed the possibility of COVID-19 originating from a lab leak in China, despite private concerns from scientists. Schweizer claims they publicly dismissed lab leak theories to protect relations with China and avoid political tensions. He also accuses Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, of steering scientific discussions away from the lab leak theory. Schweizer suggests financial and personal interests may have influenced these officials.

In his Conclusion, Schweizer argues that China’s alleged actions, including fentanyl trafficking, media manipulation, and pandemic exploitation, are undermining the US. He criticizes American leaders for weak responses, citing financial interests or ideological alignment with China. Schweizer calls for a bipartisan, assertive strategy to confront Beijing’s aggression.