Filipino Americans propel the Filipinas to next year's FIFA Women's World Cup

The Filipinas celebrate their win at the Women's Asian Cup qualifying them for the World Cup.

If you are still hyped up over the FIFA World Cup concluding last week with Spain taking home the coveted trophy, wait until next year when the Philippine women's national football team takes the pitch in the Women's FIFA World Cup.

It is no surprise that the United States will field  a strong team, but our heart might be with another group of Americans. Over 80% of the current Filipinas are Americans of Filipino descent. The Filipinas' heavily stacked rosters — including the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup squad — feature 22 to 25 US-born players out of 26 call-ups. 

The Filipinas' biggest regional triumph was securing the gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games, where they defeated Vietnam 6-5 in a penalty shootout qualifying for the FIFA World Cup taking place in Brazil.

This incredible influx of talent relies heavily on elite United States college soccer pipelines and a deep dive into specific FIFA heritage guidelines.

Mainstream sports coverage often misses the cultural nuances of how dual-citizen athletes bridge their American upbringings with their ancestral homelands. 

The backbone of the Filipinas consists of women who are currently playing professionally in international leagues and high-performing NCAA veterans and rising collegiate prospects who have chosen to wear the Philippine flag, include:

• Sarina Bolden (Forward) – Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Olivia McDaniel (Goalkeeper) – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Chandler McDaniel (Forward) – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Hali Long (Defender / Team Captain) – University of Arkansas at Little Rock
• Quinley Quezada (Midfielder) – University of California, Riverside
• Katrina Guillou (Forward) – University of North Carolina Wilmington
• Jessika Cowart (Defender) – University of Washington
• Malea Cesar (Defender) – Trinity University (Texas)
• Natalie Oca (Midfielder) – University of California, San Diego
• Mallie Ramirez (Forward) – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Kaiya Jota (Goalkeeper) — Stanford University
• Rhea Chan (Defender) — Cal Poly Humbolt
• Tahnai Annis (Midfielder/Captain) — University of Florida
• Reina Bonta (Defender) — Yale University & Santa Clara University
• Katrina Guillou (Forward) — UNC Wilmington
• Dominique Randle (Defender) — University of Southern California
• Alicia Barker (Defender) — University of Illinois
• Carleigh Frilles (Forward) — Coastal Carolina University
• Kiara Fontanilla, (Goalkeeper) Eastern Oregon University

World Cup Qualification Path

They secured their second consecutive World Cup berth on March 19, 2026, by defeating Uzbekistan 2-0 in the play-in match at the AFC Women's Asia Cup in Gold Coast, Australia. 

The Filipinas clinched their spot on the global stage after an intense campaign at the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup. After advancing to the knockout round as one of the best third-place finishers, they were defeated by Japan in the quarterfinals, which sent them to the crucial play-in match against Uzbekistan.

In that decisive game, rising star Jael Guy delivered two crucial assists in the second half, leading to goals by Angela Beard and Jackie Sawicki to seal the 2-0 victory and tournament qualification.

The Filipinas made history four years ago by appearing the World Cup when the event was co-hosted by the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. It was the first time any Philippines team, men or women, played in the international tournament. Although they didn't make it to the knockout round, they celebrated their lone victory over New Zealand.

Japan won the Women's Asia Cup by defeating host Australia 1-0. Besides the Philippines, Japan, Australia, China PR, North Korea and South Korea are the six Asian nations that secured direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Navigating FIFA eligibility

How do these American-born athletes legally clear the hurdle to play on the global stage? It comes down to a strict alignment between international soccer bylaws and Philippine nationality laws.

FIFA rules dictate that a player must legally hold the passport of the country they wish to represent. Under the Philippine Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act, any child born abroad to at least one biological Filipino parent is automatically a dual citizen from birth.

To prevent random naturalization, FIFA requires a biological link. Because these players have a parent or grandparent born on Philippine territory, they satisfy the lineage clauses and bypass the standard 5-year continuous residency requirement.

Many of these women grew up in the U.S. youth national team pipeline. Post-2020 FIFA eligibility updates allow players to make a official switch via the FIFA Change of Association Platform as long as they held dual nationality during those early matches and did not play a senior World Cup match before turning 21.

While the reliance on the diaspora has drawn occasional critique from local purists who want to see homegrown talent on the pitch, the results speak for themselves. The pipeline has pushed the Filipinas to historic milestones—including their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup appearance in 2023 and a competitive edge in Asia. It is a modern Asian American story: utilizing the elite training spaces of the US to elevate representation on the global stage.

The players and coaches of the Filipinas qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup next year.

Breaking barriers

The locker room of the Filipinas national football team is a masterclass in diaspora diplomacy, successfully navigating language barriers and cultural divides to forge unbreakable sisterhood. While critics routinely question if the U.S.-born heritage players are "Filipino enough," the athletes themselves have shut down the noise by completely immersing themselves in the culture. 

The introduction of US-born players initially sparked local resentment as homegrown veterans felt sidelined by the massive influx of foreign talent. However, the raw passion and humility of the FilAm athletes quickly shifted the locker room dynamics from skepticism to genuine belonging.

Through shared music, learning the language, and cross-cultural humility, the American-born and homegrown players have built a unified squad that leaves no doubt about their collective identity.

When the recruitment pipeline initially brought dozens of NCAA standouts together, English was the dominant language for most of the US arrivals. This created an immediate, quiet hurdle when communicating with locally raised players and connecting with local media.

Instead of remaining inside an American bubble, the FilAm players proactively adapted. Longtime media observers note that players who spoke exclusively English during early training camps are now confidently speaking Tagalog to local journalists. Soccer, as a universal language, bridge the initial communication gaps on the field, while off the field, the team used immersive, everyday moments to blend their worlds.

The deep personal impact of this journey is best captured by the players themselves:

Goalkeeper Kiara Fontanilla, Fullton-raised and who played for colleges in Oregon and California,  addressed the heritage debate directly: "There’s no such thing that we’re not Filipino enough. We all have a heart of Philippine gold."

The squad intentionally designed spaces to integrate both sides of the diaspora. They bonded over pre-match rituals, traditional Filipino food, and music, transforming cultural differences into team strengths. Homegrown players introduced their American teammates to the daily nuances of life in Manila, while the US-based players shared their elite training habits.

 "This team has been more welcoming to me than any other group that I've experienced... being able to connect with these girls on another level, a cultural level, isn't something that I can do at home," says defender Malea Cesar, who grew up in Newport Beach, California.

With the Asia Cup and Southeast Asian tournaments behind them, the Filipinas regrouped in San Diego, California as the women began the next phase of their growth through a training camp and friendlies against southern California teams. So far the player pool is made up of 30 women, including team members and invited prospects with more additions to come as manager Mark Torcaso continues to scout out talent in the Philippines and internationally.

View from the edge

Under the Torcaso's leadership, the Filipinas secured a berth for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. He has guided the team into the top 40 of the world rankings and has actively set his sights on reaching the knockout stages.

By refusing to let borders dictate their identity, the Filipinas created a culture of mutual respect, proving that their shared devotion to the flag matters far more than where they first learned to kick a ball.

Former head coach Alen Stajcic frequently defended this unity against outside critics, summarizing the bond: "I don't really care where they're born... I just know that this team has Filipino heart and blood and courage and spirit."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Who silenced the scientist whose research humiliated China's work in the W. Philippine Sea?

RIP Dr. Kent E. Carpenter, 1936-2026

An American scientist who studied and championed the diversity of the seas of the Philippines and whose research was instrumental in gaining worldwide support for the Philippines' territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea, was found slain in his home in the southern Philippines. 

The international scientific community and Asian American academic circles are reeling from a devastating loss. On July 12, Dr. Kent E. Carpenter—an eminent American marine biologist and long-time Old Dominion University (ODU) professor—was shot and killed inside his home in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, Philippines.

Local authorities have four of six suspects are in police custody. The Phlippine Natinal Police maintaine that robbery is the primary motive behind the killing although speculation of that he was killed because of his work continues to circulate.

What was supposed to be a celebratory final research lap ahead of the planned retirement  of  the 73-year-old has instead plunged his family, colleagues, and local authorities into a murky, high-stakes investigation. Was his death a tragic, random home invasion, or did a lifetime of environmental activism and geopolitical testimony make him a target?

Carpenter’s legendary career was built on a foundation of rigorous American scholarship and a deep, lifelong connection to the Pacific: He earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, a world-renowned hub for marine research.

In 1976, he first arrived in the Philippines as a US Peace Corps volunteer. That assignment sparked a 50-year dedication to protecting the archipelago's delicate coral reefs.

Since joining ODU's Department of Biological Sciences in Virginia in 1996, he served as an Eminent Scholar, mentored generations of global researchers, and spearheaded the IUCN Global Marine Species Assessment.

Defining the "Center of the Center"

Carpenter didn’t just study fish; his research fundamentally redefined global conservation and drew international maritime boundaries.

"Dr. Carpenter's contributions to Philippine marine science were profound and enduring," the Philippine Association of Marine Science posted Tuesday on social media.

"As a US Peace Corps volunteer in the 1970s, he worked with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and helped train the country's first coral reef science team. His early papers on Philippine coral reef fisheries resources, including his work with National Scientist Angel C. Alcala on muro-ami and kayakas reef fisheries, were landmark contributions that shaped the country's understanding of reef fisheries and the urgent need for science-based management," the statement continued.

In 2005, Carpenter co-authored a landmark study declaring the Verde Island Passage as the absolute "Center of the Center" of global marine shore fish biodiversity. The concentration of about 60% of the world's shoreline species, the water passage is the marine equivalent of the Amazon River basin.

Most notably, Carpenter served as a vital expert witness for the Philippine government during the historic 2016 UN Permanent Court of Arbitration case against China. His scientific testimony provided undeniable, damning evidence of the catastrophic environmental destruction caused by China’s aggressive dredging and island-building in the South China Sea.

Why would someone want Carpenter silenced?

On the night of July 12, three masked men entered Carpenter's home, shooting him in the head while he was watching television. The intruders reportedly fled with a backpack, cash, and his laptop.

While initial local headlines pointed to an opportunistic robbery, the environmental and political weight of Carpenter’s work immediately sparked fears of a targeted execution.

Investigators are currently exploring the possibility that Carpenter's death was result of his research.

Carpenter’s scientific data legally humiliated a global superpower at the Hague. By systematically documenting the destruction of coral reefs by foreign fleets, his work remains a cornerstone of the Philippines’ ongoing maritime claims.

Carpenter was also actively campaigning to have critical habitats, including the Verde Island Passage, designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This protective status directly threatens massive industrial plans—such as liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals, heavy commercial shipping routes, and coastal mega-developments—making him an adversary to powerful corporate syndicates.

The thieves bypassed major valuables to steal his laptop. As an active researcher holding decades of sensitive environmental spatial mapping, illegal fishing tracking, and conservation data, his computer was a literal goldmine of ecological intelligence.

However, the plot has since grown more complicated. The Negros Oriental Police have designated Carpenter’s live-in partner and her sibling as persons of interest. According to reports from ABS-CBN, authorities noted glaring inconsistencies in her statements regarding how the intruders managed to breach the home without signs of forced entry.

View from the edge

"Dr. Carpenter devoted his life to protecting the Philippines' marine heritage. We owe it to him to honor that legacy by continuing his work and demanding justice for his tragic and untimely death," concluded the statement from the Philippine Association of Marine Science.

Whether this tragedy was a geopolitical hit, an environmental silencing, or a domestic plot masked as a robbery, the world has lost a giant of marine conservation. As the Filipino and scientific communities demand a transparent investigation, all eyes remain on local Philippine authorities to deliver swift justice for Carpenter.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Trump’s unfounded claims of China election meddling spark fear in Chinese American community

Donald Trump used unsubstantionated 

Oh no! He didn't. But he did. Donald Trump blamed China for interfering with US elections. Here we go again.

Trump is reviving his greatest hits of grievance, but this time, the needle is dropping on a track that has the Chinese American community bracing for impact. Without offering a shred of proof, Trump is now claiming that Beijing meddled in the 2020 election, explicitly accusing China of "stealing voter files." He just can't accept that he lost that year.

Trump's intent is clear. If you need a bogeyman as a distraction, blame China or immigrants. In Trump's primetime address July16, he blamed both.

“We have seen this playbook before," said the Asian  Law Caucus Executive Director Aarti Kohli. "Time and again, the Trump administration has sought to cast doubt on our elections and the Americans who get to participate in them. We’ve seen it recently with his renewed pressure on Congress to pass the SAVE Act, a bill with the clear intent to see fewer people vote."

While US intelligence agencies have already thoroughly rejected these allegations and Beijing has called them entirely fabricated, the damage in our current political climate doesn't require facts to do real-world harm. For Chinese Americans, the rhetoric feels dangerously familiar — and terrifying.

Trump also used the occasion to claim 250,000 noncitizens took part in the 2020 vote although there is no evidence to back that claim. State attorneys general, even those of GOP-controlled states like Florida and Texas, have had to reduce initial claims of thousands of noncitizen voters to only a handful after further investigation.

The immediate fallout: Fear and defensiveness

Community advocates and leaders are already sounding the alarm over what this baseless finger-pointing will mean on the ground. The consensus is clear: when Washington targets Beijing, it’s Asian Americans who pay the price on the street.

“Our research this year found that a majority of Americans believe the rhetoric used by President Trump about China and US-China relations has a negative impact on the treatment of Chinese Americans,” said Paul Cheung, president of the Committee of 100, a group of prominent Chinese Americans created when Trump's "China Initiative" began targeting Chinese and Chinese Americansresearchers and academics.

SHUTTERSTOCK

Anti-Asian hate has surged since the pandemic and hasn't gone away.

Activists in the Asian American community are bracing for a multi-front wave of repercussions:

A resurgence of xenophobia: Just as the "Chinese virus" rhetoric of the early 2020s directly triggered a terrifying surge in anti-Asian hate crimes, community leaders fear this new political scapegoating will paint a target on the backs of Chinese Americans once again.

Civic chilling effect: The fallout is already hitting everyday community participation. Volunteers and campaign workers—like Elaine Peng, who has led Chinese American grassroots efforts—worry that ungrounded political suspicion will make everyday citizens terrified to engage in the democratic process, fearing they’ll be labeled as foreign agents.

The "perpetual foreigner" Trap: Trump's rhetoric repeated by his army of minions, reinforces the toxic stereotype that Chinese Americans are inherently loyal to a foreign power rather than their own home, eroding decades of civil rights progress.

The Feds' verdict: No infrastructure breaches, no flipped votes

The US intelligence community has completely debunked the idea that China manipulated the 2020 ballot box.

A sweeping, unclassified intelligence assessment concluded there is absolutely zero evidence that any foreign adversary modified a single ballot, altered voter registrations, or compromised vote tabulations.

While it is true that Chinese entities compiled data on roughly 220 million Americans, analysts from platforms like PBS NewsHour quickly pointed out the boring truth. This information wasn't stolen via cyberwarfare; it was legally bought and downloaded from ordinary commercial marketing sites and public databases. It is information accessible by any Tom, Dick or Harry.

There was a minor split in the intelligence community, with one cyber official suggesting Beijing used basic social media posturing to sour public opinion on Trump. However, even that dissenting view explicitly stated there was no information suggesting China tried to interfere directly with the election mechanics.

Because the American voting infrastructure is intentionally decentralized across thousands of local, disconnected jurisdictions, county by county, state by state, national security experts reiterate that a centralized cyberattack capable of flipping an election outcome is practically impossible.

View from the edge

Let’s be completely clear: US intelligence has found no evidence supporting these claims. But in an election season where anti-China sentiment is standard currency for both sides of the aisle, Trump’s latest baseless accusations are throwing gasoline on an already volatile fire.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian wasted no time labeling Trump’s claims as "pure fabrication" and political mudslinging designed to stir up voters ahead of the election cycle.

“I hope every American is seeing what is happening right before our eyes: The Trump Administration is flinging desperate and unsubstantiated attacks on our elections," says the Asian Law Caucus' Kohli, "Trump forced himself on your TVs and phone screens trying to undermine your confidence in the integrity of our elections in real time. But we won’t let it happen."

For the Asian American community, specifically Chinese Americans — the fear isn't abstract — it's a matter of daily safety, civic survival, and demanding that political leaders stop using an entire diaspora as a political football.

The data proves the claims are empty political theater. But as Asian Americans, we know the danger isn't the validity of the conspiracy — it's how easily the rhetoric turns our neighbors into targets.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

FilAm AG Rob Bonta leads lawsuit against giant media merger

AG OFFICE

Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks in front of the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.

Filipino American California Attorney General Rob Bonta is refusing to let a rigged market dictate the future of Hollywood. Standing in front of the landmark Hollywood sign, Bonta announced that he is leading a multi-state coalition of 12 attorneys general to block the massive $111 billion mega-merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. 

The antitrust lawsuit, filed July 13 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, directly challenges the transaction.

“Today, I am leading a coalition of states in challenging the proposed merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount and asking the court to block the deal," Bonta said in a statement Monday. 

"The unlawful merger of these two entertainment behemoths would lead to higher prices, lower quality, and less content for film and television, harming movie theaters, basic cable distributors, and ultimately, audiences on every sofa and movie theater seat in the US," said Bonta while standing in front of the famous Hollywood sign.

"California's film and entertainment industry touches the lives of Americans daily — it comes into the living rooms of families, has a starring role in many young people's first dates, and is a point of immense pride and employment for Californians up and down our state. 

"Consolidation here not only leads to higher prices — it also leads to fewer opportunities for important stories to come to life, and fewer ways for audiences to encounter stories, ideas, and perspectives beyond their own experiences. In this country, no one is above the law. With this lawsuit, California and our sister states are fighting for free and fair markets, not rigged markets. America has no kings in government or our economy."

Trump regime paves the way

The Trump Department of Justice cleared the massive entertainment merger, ignoring the severe antitrust implications. Critics highlight the deep political ties linking the deal directly to the Trump administration:

Lawmakers like Senator Elizabeth Warren have criticized the federal approval as "reeking of corruption."

This prooposed merger could be a massive victory for Trump and his supporters. By approving the deal, the administration effectively hands oversight of CNN and CBS News—two networks that have long been the targets of Trump’s media attacks — to Paramount Skydance’s David and Larry Ellison, who have close ties to Trump.

        RELATED: The future of news media

Paramount’s chief legal officer is Makan Delrahim, who previously served as the head of the DOJ's antitrust division under Trump.

Bonta argues that bypassing competition benefits a tiny group of handpicked winners while squeezing working class audiences and creative talent. The coalition points out that the combined entertainment giant would control nearly one-third of all wide-release theatrical film distribution and one-third of basic cable programming. Bonta stated, "America has no kings, not in government or the economy."

The consolidation of major news networks like CNN and CBS under a single corporate umbrella has raised significant public concern about media independence and political influence. Critics argue that this level of ownership concentration limits diverse perspectives and can lead to a softening of critical news coverage to avoid upsetting regulatory authorities or corporate interests.

The close ties between the Trump administration and the acquiring executives have fueled fears among media watchdogs that news coverage could be shifted to favor the administration's political agenda.

The big worry for everyday people

If this corporate marriage goes through, Hollywood's major film studios shrink from five to four. For consumers, Bonta's lawsuit alleges that means less competition, higher subscription prices, and lower content quality. For creative professionals, it means fewer places to sell their work, leading to severe job losses and a hit to creative diversity.

Beyond the economic argument against the merger, critics argue this gives the administration unprecedented leverage to reshape the news by putting CNN and CBS under a single, friendly corporate umbrella could soften critical news coverage.

It would give Trump and his ultra-rich allies a strong voice in the movie buisness. Hollywood and most of its celebrities are generally perceived by Trump as one of his enemies, routinely accusing them of having "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and pushing biased political agendas.

For Trump's base, seeing these major mainstream media outlets taken over by friendly leadership feels like the ultimate win against what they have long criticized as hostile newsrooms.

The argument that corporate-owned media inherently shapes narratives to serve corporate and political allies is a central focus of media criticism. Those who share this view point out that when a small number of massive conglomerates control the vast majority of news outlets, public access to independent, investigative journalism can suffer.

In this case, opponents worry that the merger serves as a tool to neutralize adversarial reporting from networks that have traditionally been highly critical of the administration.

Conversely, proponents of the merger and corporate media ownership argue that large-scale consolidation is a financial necessity in the modern digital age. They contend that traditional media companies must scale up to pool resources, remain financially viable, and effectively compete against major tech and streaming platforms like Netflix, Apple, and Amazon. 

From this perspective, a financially stronger media entity is better equipped to fund robust journalism, and editorial independence can still be maintained through professional journalistic standards, regardless of corporate ownership or the political leanings of executives.

Trump has openly called the Ellisons his "friends and allies."

The Ellisons

Despite the high-sounding rhetoric from supporters, the Ellison's have made no secret about their allegiance to Trump. When they took over CBS they essentially neutrereditsnews division, including the prestigious 60 Minutes, who Trump has accused in the past to being biased against him.

David Ellison, left, and his tech billionaire Larry Ellison want to be media moguls.

The Ellison family’s cozy alignment with Donald Trump is sending shockwaves through both Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Tech billionaire Larry Ellison and his son, media mogul David Ellison, have firmly established themselves as key financial backers and strategic allies of the (Trump regime).

For a community and country constantly navigating the intersection of corporate power and media influence, the evidence of this alliance raises serious questions about who controls the narrative in America.

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, who recently moved his primary residence to Florida just minutes away from Mar-a-Lago, has deep ties to Trump. The elder Ellison dropped a massive $45 million donation to a pro-Trump political nonprofit during the campaign, securing his spot in Trump's inner circle.

In the chaotic days following the 2020 election, Ellison was reportedly on strategy calls with Trump aides trying to find ways to invalidate election results in Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Under the current administration, Oracle was handed the architectural reins for the federal government's massive $500 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure initiative.

The son also rises

While father Larry dominates tech, son David Ellison—the head of Paramount Skydance — is leveraging Washington connections to reshape American media despite not having any media experience or even if they are aware of traditional journalistic principles. The implications for diversity, news integrity, and representation are staggering.

The Trump regime’s Justice Department swiftly cleared Skydance’s massive purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery without demanding any major antitrust concessions. Trump has openly called the Ellisons his "friends and allies."

Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate the Ellisons assured the administration they would aggressively overhaul CNN's editorial direction if the merger went through.

The lawsuit of Bonta and the other 12 attorneys generals is not happening in isolation. A day after Bonta's complaint, a Paramount Skydance shareholder  filed a major lawsuit in Delaware's Chancery Court to block the proposed merger, explicitly alleging that the Ellisons cut a corrupt deal with Trump — offering private media benefits in exchange for regulatory favors.

The Ellisons have strongly denied any deal with Trump and their stated goal of delivering honest, fact-based journalism.

Views from the edge

The proposed merger gives the administration unprecedented media leverage to:

• Reshape the news: Putting CNN and CBS under a single, friendly corporate umbrella could soften critical news coverage.

• Add Tik Tok to the media emprire: The Ellisons also are the primary owners of Tik Tok, US, which operates as a major disseminator of news, functioning as a primary information source for a significant portion of the global population, particularly younger demographics

• Control the narrative: Executives aligned with the administration will have the power to steer political reporting and drop corporate diversity programs.

• Neutralize critics: For Trump's base, seeing these major mainstream media outlets taken over by friendly leadership feels like the ultimate win against what they have long criticized as hostile newsrooms.

Besides the Ellisons, Trump's allies  and enablers already control major media outlets like Fox, the New York Post, Wall Street Journal, Washington Times and the Sinclair Broadcast Group and the Nextstar Media controup between them own over 400 television stations.

Now, with billions in tech infrastructure contracts and the keys to a global media empire on the line, the Ellisons have shown exactly where their loyalties lie. As independent media observers, we have to ask: when billionaires buy up the airwaves to please the White House, who is looking out for the rest of us?

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.