The threats to ban TikTok in Washington have faded away recently, and some insiders suggest that the app’s astute appeal to conservatives is a contributing factor. After a tumultuous spring, during which there was intense pressure to ban TikTok in the US, exacerbated by CEO Shou Zi Chew’s disastrous testimony before Congress, the fervor has subsided this summer. In the meantime, TikTok has launched an advertising campaign that portrays the platform as a beneficial tool for US veterans and small business owners.
One particularly impactful advertisement, aired during the GOP presidential debate, showcased 81-year-old “Patriotic Kenny” who utilized TikTok to raise thousands of dollars for elderly veterans to acquire new mobility scooters. The spot, titled “Changing lives, one scooter at a time,” reportedly collected enough funds to purchase 50 scooters within 24 hours. The ad concludes with Kenny’s friend expressing, “None of this would’ve been possible without TikTok.” A discontent Republican strategist admitted that “the ads have undeniably been effective,” causing discomfort among many lawmakers who previously criticized the app.
The GOP strategist believes that the attempts to ban TikTok in Congress have encountered multiple obstacles, including budgetary disputes and the looming 2024 election. Congressional sources also mention that several bills proposing a ban on TikTok were being circulated, preventing lawmakers from rallying around a single bill. Additionally, Republicans have become absorbed in flashier political issues like investigating Joe Biden. “If you can endure the storm, people become distracted,” revealed a source involved in the legislative process. “It becomes a matter of merely running out the clock.”
TikTok has enlisted the services of highly paid political advisors in the US, such as former Obama administration higher-ups David Plouffe and Jim Messina. The company has also sought guidance from former Disney communications chief Zenia Mucha. According to a report, former Trump administration official Tony Sayegh briefly advised TikTok on strategy. Furthermore, insiders claim that these experts have been reaching out to journalists and media outlets, highlighting how the app is benefiting ordinary Americans.
Meanwhile, certain GOP insiders express concerns that attacking TikTok could put Republicans at a disadvantage. “At some point, Republicans will have to engage with the TikTok audience or allow Democrats to monopolize political messaging and outreach,” opined the GOP strategist. “Democrats have an advantage on TikTok. The app is immensely popular, particularly among young voters. Currently, no elected Republican utilizes TikTok, partly due to concerns surrounding national security risks associated with China.”
One prominent critic of the app within the GOP is Senator Marc Rubio, who remains steadfast in his opposition to TikTok, even though his children have experienced backlash from their peers due to his position. When asked about the app’s latest ad campaign, Rubio stated, “TikTok’s corporate image consultants are desperately attempting to rebrand the Chinese-controlled app after a series of scandals, including spying on American journalists, storing American data in China, interfering in our elections, and deceiving Congress. However, no amount of spin can conceal the risks posed by the Chinese Communist Party controlling an app used by one-third of Americans.” TikTok has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Separately, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has allocated over $13 million towards its lobbying efforts since 2019, as reported by Open Secrets in February.
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