U.S. lawmakers who voted in favor of a controversial bill to ban TikTok are facing fierce backlash online, with users flooding their TikTok posts with angry comments accusing them of hypocrisy.
Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA), and John Fetterman (D-PA) are being targeted after continuing to post on TikTok despite voting with the Senate majority of 79 to 18 in supporting legislation that could outlaw the app in the U.S.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the "sell-or-ban" law, which mandates TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American firm or face a nationwide ban by the quickly approaching deadline of Jan. 19. Lawmakers who backed the bill argue it is necessary to protect national security, citing concerns that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to spy on Americans and spread propaganda—allegations that ByteDance and China strongly deny.
Despite their votes, these senators have remained active on TikTok, sparking outrage among users. Comments on their videos are filled with accusations of betrayal and hypocrisy, often alongside snake emojis.
"You voted for the TikTok ban. SNAKE," one user commented. "How ironic you voted for the TikTok ban yet... here you are. 🐍🐍🐍" another wrote. "Why are you on TikTok if you voted to ban it?" asked one frustrated user. "You do not represent the interests of we the people," another user posted.
Many commenters called for the lawmakers to be voted out, with one declaring, "You're fired!"
The backlash comes as the Supreme Court appears poised to uphold the law, with justices signaling support for Congress's authority to regulate foreign-controlled apps. Meanwhile, billionaire Frank McCourt announced a last-minute proposal to purchase TikTok's U.S. assets, hoping to prevent the ban.
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