Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn has drawn widespread attention after releasing a campaign advertisement criticizing Communist China while using fortune cookies as a visual prop.
The video, which quickly gained more than one million views on social media, shows Blackburn sitting at what appears to be an Asian restaurant. Looking directly into the camera, she asks, “How hard am I going to crack down on China? Well, here’s a clue.”
During the ad, Blackburn breaks open multiple fortune cookies, exposing campaign-themed messages hidden inside. One of the fortune slips states, “Marsha Blackburn will fight to protect Tennessee land from China,” while another carries the message, “Marsha Blackburn will close loopholes and hunt down communists.”
The advertisement ends with Blackburn stating, “It doesn’t take a fortune cookie to figure it out. Here in Tennessee, we’re going to stop Communist China and protect Tennessee land.”
Campaign Focuses on China and National Security
Blackburn, who has represented Tennessee in the U.S. Senate since 2019, is running to succeed Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who cannot seek another term because of term limits.
Throughout her Senate career, Blackburn has frequently emphasized concerns about China’s growing influence in trade, technology, agriculture, and national security. Her gubernatorial campaign has continued that message, highlighting issues such as economic development, public safety, and restricting foreign ownership of land in Tennessee.
The latest advertisement reflects those priorities by focusing on what Blackburn describes as the need to prevent Communist China from expanding its influence within the United States.
Debate Over Foreign Ownership of American Land
The ad comes as lawmakers in several states continue debating whether foreign governments and companies should face tighter restrictions when purchasing American farmland.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, foreign ownership of agricultural land has increased over the past two decades. While Chinese investors own a relatively small percentage of foreign-held farmland compared with several other countries, purchases connected to Chinese entities have received significant attention because some properties have been located near sensitive U.S. military facilities.
Those concerns have prompted bipartisan proposals in Congress and state legislatures aimed at limiting land purchases by entities linked to countries considered strategic competitors or national security risks.
Blackburn has supported legislation intended to restrict certain foreign adversaries from acquiring American farmland, arguing that protecting agricultural resources and critical infrastructure is an important national security issue.
Fortune Cookies Become Part of the Conversation
While the advertisement focused on China policy, many online discussions centered on Blackburn’s use of fortune cookies.
Historians generally trace the popular fortune cookie to Japanese immigrants in the United States during the early twentieth century. Following World War II, Chinese-American restaurants widely adopted the dessert, making it a familiar part of the dining experience for millions of Americans. Today, fortune cookies are commonly served in Chinese restaurants in the United States but are rarely found in China itself.
Viewers also pointed out that the waving “beckoning cat” briefly shown in the commercial originated in Japan, as did the Kikkoman soy sauce visible in one scene.
Critics and Supporters Respond
The campaign advertisement generated sharply divided reactions online.
Some journalists, commentators, and political critics argued that the commercial relied on inaccurate cultural imagery and accused the campaign of reinforcing stereotypes. Others questioned the use of fortune cookies as a symbol in a message focused on China.
Supporters, however, argued that the advertisement’s central point was not about the cookies themselves but about Blackburn’s long-standing emphasis on confronting Communist China and limiting foreign influence over American land and strategic assets.
China Remains a Major Political Issue
Relations between the United States and China continue to shape debates in Washington over trade, manufacturing, technology, military competition, cybersecurity, and supply chains.
Republican lawmakers have increasingly argued that reducing dependence on China and strengthening domestic industries are essential to protecting America’s long-term economic and national security interests. Democrats and Republicans have also supported various measures designed to address concerns surrounding technology transfers, foreign investment, and supply chain resilience, although they often differ on the best approach.
As Blackburn’s campaign for governor gains momentum, her latest advertisement demonstrates that China policy is likely to remain a central theme in both her campaign and the broader political conversation. Whether praised or criticized, the commercial has succeeded in attracting national attention and sparking debate over foreign influence, national security, and the role those issues will play in the upcoming Tennessee governor’s race.