Kylian Mbappé has received unexpected support from the United States amid the controversy surrounding his remarks about Mao Zedong in China. John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, has defended the Real Madrid forward, arguing that he has no reason to apologize for describing the former Chinese leader as a dictator.
The controversy has reportedly triggered several repercussions in China, where some brands have ended their partnerships with Mbappé and media outlets have distanced themselves from him. The Chinese Football Association has also protested, while China Media Group has called on Real Madrid to issue a public apology.
However, the Spanish club maintains that Mbappé expressed a personal opinion and says his commercial partnerships in China remain unchanged. Meanwhile, Moolenaar has used the dispute to criticize Beijing’s record on human rights and freedom of expression.
In his statement, the Republican representative argued that Mao’s rule caused far greater suffering than any comment by a footballer could. He also accused Chinese authorities of restricting fundamental freedoms and criticized companies that prioritize commercial interests over public positions on human rights. His intervention has therefore given the Mbappé controversy a broader geopolitical dimension, bringing the tensions between Washington and Beijing into a debate that began with the French star’s remarks.
