The decision by the Biden campaign to join TikTok has sparked a heated debate among critics and supporters alike. A Super Bowl-themed video uploaded to the platform by the campaign generated millions of views, but also faced accusations of hypocrisy and concerns about national security.
In the video, President Biden jokingly evades questions about the game and ends with an inside joke referencing a popular meme. While some viewed it as a lighthearted attempt to connect with voters, others raised concerns about the potential risks associated with TikTok.
Criticism of the Biden campaign's TikTok presence primarily came from national security hawks. Republican Senator Josh Hawley pointed out that President Biden had previously signed a law banning TikTok on all federal devices. This led to accusations of hypocrisy, although the Biden campaign clarified that the video was not created or posted using government devices.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton criticized the campaign's decision as 'shameful,' citing TikTok's ownership by a Chinese company. Some experts argue that TikTok could potentially be influenced by the Chinese Communist government due to its ownership. The app is currently under a federal security review, and US government employees are prohibited from having it on their work devices due to concerns of malware and potential spying.
However, TikTok has consistently denied these allegations, stating that they protect user data and prevent unwanted foreign access. The platform remains popular in the United States, with more than half of Americans using it to share a wide variety of content, from goofy stunts to food recipes and dance challenges.
The debate surrounding TikTok's influence on US elections centers on the fear that foreign actors could manipulate the platform to promote or demote certain content. Some argue that this could potentially sway public opinion in favor of a preferred candidate.
On the other hand, supporters of the Biden campaign's presence on TikTok argue that it provides a valuable opportunity to reach younger voters who may not be engaged through traditional media channels. TikTok's user base consists mainly of young millennials, a demographic that the 81-year-old President Biden may need to target in order to secure their support.
The White House officials declined to comment on the criticism of President Biden appearing in the TikTok video, redirecting all inquiries to the Biden campaign. The campaign, in response, stated that their use of TikTok is evidence of their commitment to innovative outreach methods. They assured that they are taking extra security precautions, although they did not directly address the accusations of hypocrisy.
As the Biden campaign continues to explore new avenues of communication with voters, the controversy surrounding their presence on TikTok highlights the ongoing tensions between national security concerns and the desire to connect with a diverse electorate.
