Why does the Barbie movie have Republicans in a tizzy? | Katrina vanden Heuvel

On issue after issue, Republicans have fought to undermine Barbie's motto: We girls can do anything'

Be vigilant, everyone. According to conservative lawmakers, Hollywood is attempting to manipulate the American public into consuming Chinese propaganda via subliminal messages about international maritime disputes. The culprit? A movie about dolls.

An image from Greta Gerwig's Barbie (disclosure: I already have a ticket) has sent rightwing pundits and politicians into an uproar. Senators like Marsha Blackburn and Ted Cruz claim a cartoon map depicts the nine-dash line" which China uses to assert control over the South China Sea. They argue that the movie's supposed inclusion of the line legitimizes China's position, which gives it more power over strategically important waters.

Katrina vanden Heuvel is editorial director and publisher of the Nation

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