Democrats Don't Want To Lose TikTok

Research

Despite Tiktok's Ties To The Chinese Communist Party, Biden And Democrats Have Embraced The Chinese Spyware App

BIDEN WANTS IT BOTH WAYS ON TIKTOK

Publicly, the Biden administration says there are "legitimate national security concerns" with TikTok.
Privately, the White House has been finding ways to "reach new audiences" and "meet people where they are" through this Chinese spyware app.
Anita Dunn, a senior advisor to Biden, has been instrumental in enlisting "influencers" to push Biden-approved messaging on TikTok.
- This came after the firm SKDK — of which she is a founding partner and which boasts a roster of Biden allies — signed up to "advise" on TikTok's behalf.
A Biden spokesperson defended the administration's use of the Chinese spyware app, saying they have worked with outside supporters for years "to spread our message on the major social media platforms, including TikTok."

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS A RECORD OF EMBRACING TIKTOK

Soon after taking office, Biden reversed an executive order "that tried to ban the popular Chinese-owned video app."
The Biden administration built an extensive, behind-the-scenes network to prop up TikTok "influencers" — hosting them for exclusive briefings and even meetings in the Oval Office — as a workaround to posting directly on the app themselves.
- Biden's top digital staffer — a taxpayer-funded employee — said he uses "an old, personal iPod Touch" to access TikTok.
The Democrat National Committee gave "influencers" free trips to D.C., which included audiences with Barack Obama, DNC leaders, and congressional Democrats.
Biden's own commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo, mused aloud that a TikTok ban would mean Democrats lose "literally every voter under 35, forever."
The administration recently dabbled in the use of a second app owned by TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
- The White House has refused to say whether it downloaded this app onto U.S. government devices.
Other individuals with extremely close ties to Biden's network have signed on to represent TikTok.
Biden himself has been an eager participant in celebrity TikTok videos — as recently as two weeks ago.
- Biden and his administration have appeared in TikToks with the Jonas Brothers, Niall Horan, Benny Drama, and Daniel Mac.

DEMOCRATS HAVE ARDENTLY DEFENDED THE CHINESE SPYWARE APP

At least 32 members of Congress — all Democrats and one independent — have TikTok accounts.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) is a "strong supporter" of TikTok despite its ties to the Chinese Communist Party, stating "Do not ban TikTok. We need it."
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) said he's "not for unilaterally getting rid of TikTok," making no mention of TikTok's ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA) said she is "wary" of a TikTok ban and that she "has a responsibility not to fall prey to tribalism or nationalism."
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) cited "disinformation campaigns" as a reason for opposing a ban on TikTok.
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) is not sold on banning TikTok, saying "I haven't said that I'm for or against a ban."
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) admitted that he's against banning TikTok because it could "harm [Democrats] politically in 2024."
- Bowman: "Republicans ain't got no swag. That's why they want to ban TikTok."
- Bowman claims that national security concerns over TikTok are "fearmongering tactics" and that he's "disappointed that some Democrat lawmakers are…acquiescing to this rhetoric."
- Bowman believes the national security concerns regarding this app are "a rush to judgement."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), in a post on TikTok, says she's against banning TikTok because "it just doesn't feel right."
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) claims that "no one" in the Democrat Party "wants a ban."
Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) defended TikTok as an "incredible organizing tactic."
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) said banning TikTok would be "xenophobic" and "a threat to this country."
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) downplayed the idea of a ban on TikTok.