GOP lawmakers target China in new ads ahead of election by breaking dishes, shooting balloons

Two Republican lawmakers this week have dropped new ads that target China, as both campaigns gear up for reelection.

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is running for her second term, claimed that it was "time to break some China," in her new ad on Wednesday, while smashing ceramic plates. Nebraska GOP Rep. Mike Flood's ad on Tuesday showcased him shooting a fake Chinese spy balloon from the sky.

"Some say I'm 'too tough,' that I should be more delicate, 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 am Marsha Blackburn and I approve this message, because we are going to have to break a lot more of China in order to save America." 

The video, which showcased Blackburn dropping multiple plates decorated with a Chinese flag, features a play on words because fine dishes are also called "china."

Flood, who is running for his second term in the House, touted his record as a defense hawk in his own 30-second ad that dropped on Tuesday. The congressman promised to do "whatever it takes" to defend the state while shooting the spy balloon.

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

The video is a callback to when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was spotted in United States airspace last year, before traversing the country and finally 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.