GOP Lawmakers on House Intel Committee Probe Potential Chinese ‘Malign Influence’ Over Forbes Merger

Jack Ma (R), co-founder and former executive chair of Alibaba Group, speaks next to Steve Forbes (L), chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes media, during the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore on October 15, 2019. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Republican lawmakers on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence launched a probe on the potential Chinese ownership and influence on business media outlet Forbes, which is planning to go public via a merger with a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

Then-U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) initiated the investigation in late 2021 after Forbes’s announcement of its listing plans in August.