The Rebel Yellow

Asian women targeted in Fox News host’s sexual assault “joke”

The Rebel Yellow — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:53:55 GMT

A joke on national television reignited painful memories across Asia after Fox News host Jesse Watters suggested U.S. troops taking testosterone could become “wild animals,” warning that “women in Asia” should “be careful.” Critics said the remarks trivialized decades of sexual violence involving American service members stationed across the region while reviving the network’s long history of anti-Asian commentary.

We’re also covering growing backlash over an Equinox advertisement accused of dehumanizing Asian women, the detention of a Chinese human rights lawyer seeking asylum in the U.S., a new immigration rule affecting green card applicants, Usha Vance welcoming her fourth child and the end of a rare Indian American Senate campaign.

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Image via FOX News

Jesse Watters strikes again

Fox News host Jesse Watters is facing renewed criticism after joking that “women in Asia” should beware of testosterone-fueled U.S. troops becoming “wild animals.” The remark quickly drew backlash because it referenced a painful history of sexual violence involving American service members stationed across Asia, particularly in Okinawa and the Philippines.

The controversy also revived scrutiny of Watters’ long record of remarks targeting Asians, from his widely condemned Chinatown segment to his defense of the term “Chinese virus.” Critics argue the latest incident reflects how stereotypes about Asian communities continue to surface in mainstream political media.

What else we’re tracking

Mamdani vows to fight Trump rule tying green cards to benefit use

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pushing back against a Trump administration rule allowing officials to weigh Medicaid, food stamps and housing assistance when reviewing some green card applications. The change could discourage eligible families from seeking critical benefits.

Usha Vance welcomes 4th child with JD Vance

Second Lady Usha Vance and Vice President JD Vance have welcomed their fourth child, marking the first time in more than 150 years that a sitting U.S. vice president has become a parent while in office. The milestone places one of the nation’s most prominent Indian Americans in an unusual White House moment.

Nirav Shah exits Maine Senate race

Former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah has ended his U.S. Senate campaign less than two weeks after entering the race, closing what had been one of the few Indian American bids for statewide office in Maine.

Chinese human rights lawyer detained by ICE

After escaping China’s crackdown on human rights lawyers, Wu Shaoping built a new life delivering Amazon packages while pursuing asylum in the U.S. His detention following a traffic stop has alarmed advocates who fear even outspoken critics of the Chinese government are no longer shielded from aggressive immigration enforcement.

Equinox ad depicting Asian woman’s detached head draws backlash

Equinox is under growing pressure to pull an advertisement showing the realistic head of an Asian woman mounted on a stand with a finger placed inside her mouth. Critics argue the campaign sexualizes and dehumanizes Asian women, while members say repeated complaints to gym staff have gone unanswered.

Why read Issue #237?

Public debates often begin with institutions, governments or corporations, but their consequences rarely stop there. The language people in power choose, the images companies promote and the policies governments adopt all shape how communities are seen and treated long after the headlines fade.

The effects are rarely confined to a single controversy. They accumulate over time, influencing what becomes acceptable to say, what people come to expect and whose experiences are taken seriously.

Support independent Asian diaspora journalism. Become a paid subscriber to read the full stories and help sustain The Rebel Yellow.

The Rebel Yellow is supported in part by funding from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Funders do not influence story selection, reporting, or editorial decisions. All editorial content is independently produced by The Rebel Yellow team.

Nirav Shah exits Maine Senate race, ending a rare Indian American bid

The Rebel Yellow — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:10:04 GMT

Image via C-SPAN | YouTube

Dr. Nirav Shah, the former Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention director who joined the state’s U.S. Senate contest less than two weeks ago, has ended his campaign and endorsed former state Senate President Troy Jackson, the Democratic front-runner to replace embattled Graham Platner.

Call for unity

Shah announced his …

Mamdani vows to fight Trump rule tying green cards to benefit use

The Rebel Yellow — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:01:37 GMT

Image via NYC Mayor’s Office

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has vowed to fight a new Trump administration rule indicating that an applicant’s use of Medicaid, food stamps or housing aid can count against a green card application.

Wide impact

Mamdani voiced his opposition on social media, framing the policy as a threat to immigrant families. “New York C…

He fled China’s crackdown on lawyers for America’s rule of law. Now ICE has him

The Rebel Yellow — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:51:03 GMT

Image via Wu Shaoping, NTD

A Chinese human rights lawyer who escaped Beijing’s crackdown on his profession said he came to the U.S. trusting in its rule of law, ahead of a hearing next week that could send him back.

“Not criminals”

Wu Shaoping, 48, spoke by phone Tuesday to Lancaster Online from the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an Immigration and Cu…

Equinox ad depicting Asian woman’s detached head draws backlash

The Rebel Yellow — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:49:50 GMT

Photo via @etchaskej, r/EquinoxGyms

Equinox is facing calls to remove an advertisement depicting the realistic head of an Asian woman mounted on a stand, held by another person whose index finger is placed inside her mouth. The words “Question Everything” appear above the image, which viewers have criticized as sexualizing, objectifying and dehumanizing …

Second Lady Usha Vance welcomes 4th child with JD Vance

The Rebel Yellow — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:44:28 GMT

Photo via CBS Sunday Morning (YouTube)

Indian American Second Lady Usha Vance and Vice President JD Vance announced Sunday that they have welcomed their fourth child, Alec Neel Vance. Alec’s birth marks the first time in more than 150 years that a sitting U.S. vice president has welcomed a child while in office.

The milestone places Usha Vance, the daught…

Fox News host jokes about ‘women in Asia’ facing testosterone-fueled US troops

The Rebel Yellow — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 15:40:41 GMT

Photo via Fox News (YouTube)

Fox News host Jesse Watters came under fire after joking that “women in Asia” should “be careful” around U.S. service members who could become “wild animals” after taking testosterone. The 48-year-old anchor, whose past on-air segments involving Asians have been called out for blatant racism, laughed while describing the pros…

Republicans back with anti-Asian rhetoric ahead of the midterms

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:58:58 GMT

With the midterms less than four months away, anti-Asian messaging is once again finding its way into American politics. Recent weeks have brought racially charged campaign ads, renewed claims of Chinese election interference and growing concern from Asian American advocates, who warn that rhetoric aimed at China can easily spill over onto Asian communities at home.

We’re also covering how new visa restrictions are pushing more Indian and Chinese students to consider universities outside the U.S., along with a federal lawsuit over the treatment of a Hmong American during an immigration raid in Minnesota. Elsewhere, China is tightening rules for AI companions, Marvel is facing scrutiny over its new Asia publishing role and South Korean basketball star Lee Hyun-jung is making another case for an NBA opportunity.

Featured

Republicans are leaning into anti-Asian messaging ahead of the midterms

Republican campaigns are once again leaning into China-focused messaging as the midterms approach, reviving tactics that Asian American advocates say blur the line between criticizing the Chinese government and casting suspicion on people of Asian descent. Recent weeks have brought racially charged attacks against Asian American candidates, renewed claims of Chinese election interference and campaign ads critics say rely on familiar stereotypes.

Advocacy groups warn that the rhetoric echoes past election cycles, when political messaging spilled into everyday hostility toward Asian Americans. With key races approaching, organizations across the country are urging Asian American voters to stay engaged, arguing that turnout will ultimately be the strongest response to campaigns that seek to turn ethnicity and foreign policy into political liabilities.

What else we’re tracking

Trump’s China election data claims draw Beijing denial, stir AAPI fears

President Donald Trump is once again claiming that China is trying to influence U.S. elections, accusations that Beijing has denied, and Asian American advocates say risk fueling suspicion toward Chinese American communities. The renewed rhetoric comes as anti-China messaging becomes increasingly prominent ahead of the midterms.

Indian and Chinese students increasingly look beyond the U.S.

New U.S. visa restrictions are prompting more prospective students from India and China to consider universities in Europe and Asia. Education experts say the changes add another layer of uncertainty for applicants already weighing immigration policies, tuition costs and career opportunities after graduation.

Feds sued over handling of Hmong man dragged from St. Paul home in underwear

More than six months after a Hmong American was handcuffed at gunpoint and taken from his home during an immigration raid, local officials are asking a federal court to compel DHS to release records about the operation. The lawsuit raises new questions about oversight and transparency.

ICE agents leave Asian man cuffed, screaming at Las Vegas airport before vanishing

An Australian man of Vietnamese descent says ICE agents left him handcuffed and pleading for help at a Las Vegas airport before walking away, an encounter that has sparked questions about the agency’s handling of immigration detentions. The incident is now drawing scrutiny as advocates call for greater accountability.

Marvel puts editor who pretended to be Japanese in charge of Asia originals

Marvel has named former editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski to oversee original comics and manga from Asia, nearly a decade after he admitted posing as a Japanese creator under the name “Akira Yoshida.” The appointment has renewed scrutiny over one of the comics industry’s most controversial identity scandals.

China cracks down on AI companions

China has introduced nationwide rules requiring AI companion apps to discourage emotional dependence and steer users toward real-world relationships. While officials frame the regulations as consumer protection, analysts say they also align with Beijing’s broader efforts to address the country’s demographic challenges.

South Korean star makes another NBA case

South Korean forward Lee Hyun-jung closed NBA Summer League with his strongest performances yet, reviving hopes that the former Davidson standout could earn another NBA opportunity after several seasons in the G League and overseas.

Asia’s richest person dismisses AI bubble fears as ‘absurd’

Masayoshi Son isn’t worried that the AI boom has gone too far. The SoftBank founder says fears of an investment bubble are misplaced, outlining an ambitious vision for artificial intelligence that includes massive infrastructure spending and rapid technological growth.

Why read Issue #236?

Every election season brings renewed debate over borders, national security and America’s place in the world. What deserves just as much attention is how quickly those conversations can blur into assumptions about people who share a language, ancestry or cultural ties with the countries being discussed.

The same tension extends beyond politics. Whether the subject is immigration, education, artificial intelligence or media, decisions made by governments and institutions often reach far beyond their original intent, affecting communities with little influence over the outcome.

Support independent Asian diaspora journalism. Become a paid subscriber to read the full stories and help sustain The Rebel Yellow.

Will this South Korean basketball star's late Summer League surge earn him another shot at the NBA?

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:37:25 GMT

Photo via NBA on ESPN (Pexels)

Lee Hyun-jung, a 25-year-old South Korean forward, capped his latest NBA Summer League appearance with the San Antonio Spurs after emerging as one of the team’s most productive shooters late in the tournament. The former Davidson College standout entered the showcase looking to strengthen his case for another NBA opportunit…

ICE agents leave Asian man cuffed, screaming at Las Vegas airport before vanishing

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:25:26 GMT

Image via Chris Motley

A 57-year-old Asian man was left handcuffed and screaming on an airport floor in Las Vegas after two plainclothes ICE agents abandoned him following an attempted arrest, walking away once onlookers began filming.

What happened

The incident occurred in Terminal 3 at Harry Reid International Airport just after 6 p.m. on July 13. A mask…

Marvel puts editor who pretended to be Japanese in charge of Asia originals

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:20:23 GMT

Photo via luccacomics (YouTube)

Marvel is sending former Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski to Japan to oversee original graphic fiction and manga from Asia, nearly nine years after he admitted presenting himself as a Japanese writer under the name “Akira Yoshida.”

Cebulski, who is white, will become Marvel’s editor of Asia Originals as Stephen Wacker succeeds…

China cracks down on AI companions

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:09:54 GMT

Photo via Ron Lach (Pexels)

China has introduced sweeping nationwide regulations for AI companion services, requiring developers to prevent chatbots from fostering emotional dependence or replacing users’ real-world relationships.

The rules, which took effect July 15, impose new safeguards for minors, mental health and personal data while placing stricter…

Asia’s richest person dismisses AI bubble fears as ‘absurd'

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:01:21 GMT

Photo via CNBC International Live (YouTube)

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, whose company has committed billions of dollars to AI investments, pushed back against growing skepticism over artificial intelligence. Speaking at SoftBank World in Tokyo on July 14, Son predicted global AI infrastructure spending will climb to roughly $5 trillion a year by 2040 as …

Indian, Chinese students look beyond US as Trump tightens student visa rules

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:00:31 GMT

Photo via RDNE Stock project (Pexels)

More prospective students from India and China are considering universities in Europe and Asia as the U.S. prepares to impose new limits on how long international students may remain without seeking an extension.

A Department of Homeland Security rule published July 17 replaces the longstanding “duration of status” sy…

Feds sued over handling of Hmong man dragged from St. Paul home in underwear

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:00:24 GMT

Image via FOX 9 | YouTube

Minnesota’s Ramsey County has sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for allegedly refusing to cooperate with its investigation into federal agents’ treatment of ChongLy “Scott” Thao, a Hmong American U.S. citizen detained during a January immigration raid in St. Paul.

Catch up

Federal agents forced their way into Thao’s E…

Trump’s China election data claims draw Beijing denial, stir AAPI fears

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:50:35 GMT

Image via The White House

President Donald Trump’s accusation that China stole 220 million American voter files to sway the 2020 election drew a sharp denial from Beijing and stirred fresh anxiety among Chinese American leaders, who fear their communities could become political scapegoats ahead of the November midterms.

Allegations and denial

Trump made th…

Republicans lean into anti-Asian messaging ahead of the midterms

The Rebel Yellow — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:20:19 GMT

Image via X, Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Republican campaigns have leaned on anti-Asian caricature and unproven claims of Chinese election interference ahead of the midterms.

The “perpetual foreigner”

As we reported earlier this month, Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee was branded the “Empress of DEI” in a 15-second video that uses gong sounds and bamboo-styl…

Suni Lee returns to gymnastics with eyes on Los Angeles 2028

The Rebel Yellow — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:30:12 GMT

Today’s stories open with Suni Lee announcing her return to elite gymnastics, with her eyes set on Los Angeles 2028. It’s something hopeful during these hard days. See, after immigration officers fatally shot unarmed motorists, President Donald Trump declared traffic stops are staying. Meanwhile, his latest disclosure shows his holding company took $2 million from the lead investor in a South Korean firm at odds with his own Commerce Department.

Overseas, a Boston seismologist charged with espionage has been held in China for nearly two years … and his family has stopped waiting quietly. In San Francisco, a foundation is suing the school district over a controversial ethnic studies curriculum. And across 13 states and Washington, D.C., an electricity auction has cleared at its price cap, with data centers driving the new demand and the cost still working its way toward customers.

Finally, we look at Austin as it breaks ground this month on wetlands and begins construction of its Asian American Resource Center. And to all fans, Gemma Chan says the Anna May Wong script is done.

Featured

Image via Team USA | YouTube

Suni Lee sets sights on 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with return to elite gymnastics

Suni Lee, the first Hmong American Olympic gold medalist, has announced her return to elite gymnastics, with her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The 23-year-old has six Olympic medals, with three won in Paris a year after two rare kidney diseases forced her out of training. A spot on the team would mean a third Olympics, her first at home. Her announcement closes on a line that says the comeback is not the whole story.

What else we’re tracking

Trump backs ICE traffic stops after deadly week for immigrants

Immigration officers fatally shot two unarmed motorists, neither of them the man they had come for. The administration paused most vehicle stops for a day … until the president kickstarted them on Truth Social. As we have been stressing, the standard that lets them continue does not stop at Latino drivers.

Trump company took $2 million from investor tied to Korean firm facing US tariffs

The president’s holding company accepted $2 million last year from the lead investor in a South Korean aluminum company fighting evasion penalties at his Commerce Department. The disclosure reportedly calls it a development fee. Meanwhile, the Trump Organization said it concerns an unannounced golf project.

Boston seismologist’s family breaks silence after 2 years of secret detention in China

Youlin Chen was visiting his parents in Beijing when state security agents detained him. Nearly two years later, the U.S. citizen faces an espionage charge and no public trial. His wife says authorities questioned him more than 100 times about the same research.

SFUSD sued over ethnic studies course, enrichment fund spending

A fresh lawsuit alleges that San Francisco’s school district kept a roughly $7.3 million ethnic studies curriculum from public review, then used restricted voter-approved funds to help cover it. Objections center on a section about whiteness and where it reportedly places Asian Americans.

AI data centers could drive up electricity bills for millions of Asian Americans

An auction covering 13 states cleared at its federal price cap, with PJM’s monitor estimating billions of that cost stemmed from projected data center demand. Four of those states are home to large Asian American populations. One California city has banned new data centers.

Austin begins $5.7 million improvements around Asian American Resource Center

A year of construction will put wetlands, two bridges and a trail behind the center, the first major changes to the grounds since it opened in 2013. Here’s what to expect.

Gemma Chan says Anna May Wong biopic script is complete

Chan has revealed that the screenplay is finished, moving a film about Hollywood’s first Chinese American movie star closer to production. As it makes progress, it’s worth remembering how Wong was passed over for a role that won a white actor an Oscar.

Why read Issue #235?

In this issue, we see that the biggest decisions arrive as filings. A capacity auction clears at its price cap and households in New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Illinois may not learn what it cost them until a bill says so. A curriculum becomes a graduation requirement under an agenda heading the suit alleges was broad enough to hide it. A seismologist is charged with espionage and held while Beijing says wrongful detention does not exist. Each works because it is legible only from inside the room. Suni Lee got to announce her plans. That should not be the rare thing.

Support independent Asian diaspora journalism. Become a paid subscriber to read the full stories and help sustain The Rebel Yellow.

SFUSD sued over ethnic studies course, enrichment fund spending

The Rebel Yellow — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:11:21 GMT

Image via KTVU | YouTube

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is facing a lawsuit alleging that it illegally withheld a mandatory ethnic studies course — criticized for its characterizations of Jewish and Asian Americans — from public review ahead of the Board’s April approval, then paid for it using restricted enrichment funds.

The allegatio…

Boston seismologist’s family breaks silence after 2 years of secret detention in China

The Rebel Yellow — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:05:04 GMT

Image via James Foley Foundation, Dr. Yufang Rong

A Boston seismologist has been held in China for nearly two years without a public trial, forcing his family to break their silence this week as Beijing shows no plans to free him.

What happened

Youlin Chen, 54, was detained by Chinese state security agents in November 2024 while visiting his parents in Bei…