Edit:

  • added source, added direct link to video
  • added additional replies from Glenn on subject
  • fixed wording of edit to reflect replies of Glenn were added

@ggreenwald

Both the Economist and the WSJ state explicitly that the main reason the TikTok ban picked up so much bipartisan steam in DC since Oct. 7 was because of how much Israel criticism was allowed to air and circulate on the platform (see below).

But really! It’s all about China!

@benshapiro

The House has voted to separate TikTok from its Chinese Communist Party ownership. It’s nice to see a bit of bipartisan sanity once in awhile.

Direct link to video (should work for a bit): https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1768310919887536135/vid/avc1/1280x720/4zWnNyjVkmz0yRc9.mp4?tag=14

Source: https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/1768382962360283559

Additionial information by Glenn:

    • @[email protected]
      2•7 months ago

      I mean, it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest this, it’s more that the bill offers a win/win scenario for U.S. interests. Either ByteDance has to sell, likely to an American tech conglomerate or tech investment firm because they have the most money to offer, or the platform gets banned from U.S. eyes. The lawmakers don’t really care which option gets selected, and U.S. based companies don’t care because they’re still allowed to advertise on TikTok irregardless. ByteDance clearly does care though, and has boosted their propoganda machine to try and stop this, so they might be in a situation where they cannot or will not sell.

      I wouldn’t consider divestment a foregone conclusion, a ban might even be likely.