![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/VCPQQMN2ONDJBFI4Q7UIVVS6WY.jpg\")
Bobby Bank\/Bobby Bank\/Getty Images <\/p>\nMAGA Republicans were sent into a frenzy this week after Nathan\u2019s Famous, the iconic New York-based hot dog brand, was acquired by Smithfield Foods. <\/p>\n
Smithfield Foods is an American-based subsidiary of WH Group, a Chinese multinational pork company. It was founded in Virginia in 1936. Smithfield bought Nathan\u2019s Famous, known for its annual July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest, for $450 million in cash.<\/p>\n
Bobby Bank\/Bobby Bank\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
MAGA acolytes took to X to rage about the move, bemoaning the so-called loss of an American brand to a Chinese company. Numerous conservatives replied to<\/a> and reshared<\/a> an X post<\/a>, which received over 670,000 views, from a woman criticizing the move.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess who owns Smithfield Foods? China,\u201d the post said. \u201cA Chinese company owning an American icon. This is not right. China should not be owning anything in America.\u201d<\/p>\n The X user also suggested<\/a> the possibility of China \u201cpoisoning our food supply\u201d in the replies of her post. <\/p>\n New York Republican congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who recently announced<\/a> her exit from politics, responded to the news by warning about \u201cCommunist China,\u201d taking over the U.S. food supply. <\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot continue to allow Communist China to increasingly control our American food and agriculture supply,\u201d Stefanik posted on X. \u201cThis is an iconic NY-based and proud American company that has fallen to China. Food security and agriculture security are national security.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, conservative media site The Daily Wire called the acquisition an \u201cAmerican travesty<\/a>.\u201d The outlet echoed Stefanik\u2019s fears over national security and the Chinese Communist Party.<\/p>\n The Daily Beast reached out to Smithfield Foods for comment on the backlash. <\/p>\n In this July 4, 2009 file photo, Joey Chestnut, left, of San Jose, Calif., defending champion of the Nathan’s Famous July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest, celebrates his victory, logging his third consecutive win with a world-record 68 franks over former champion Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan, in New York.<\/p>\n Craig Ruttle \/ AP Photo <\/p>\n Smithfield Foods has had exclusive license to manufacture, distribute, market and sell Nathan\u2019s Famous products in the U.S., Canada, and Sam\u2019s Clubs in Mexico for over a decade. The acquisition allows the company to secure these rights in perpetuity.<\/p>\n \u201cThis combination is a natural fit and provides a compelling valuation for Nathan\u2019s Famous stockholders,\u201d Eric Gatoff, CEO of Nathan\u2019s Famous, said in a press release<\/a>. \u201cAs a long-time partner, Smithfield has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to investing in and growing our brand while maintaining the utmost quality and customer service standards.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Elise](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JBV3DV52PZE4RGVI6EFIGW6HZA.png\")
Elise Stefanik\/X <\/p>\n![\"articles\/2011\/07\/03\/joey-chestnut-s-secrets-to-winning-nathan-s-hot-dog-eating-contest\/joey-chestnut-schneiderman_wdjelt\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/XAYYVGSA7FIDZNIPPV2GO2CLRY.jpg\")
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