Congressman Josh Gottheimer recently commented on former President Donald Trump's evolving stance on the issue of TikTok. Gottheimer highlighted Trump's previous concerns about TikTok during his presidency, where the app was viewed as a potential threat due to its ties to China. However, Gottheimer expressed confusion over Trump's apparent shift in position, especially in light of the recent news about a bill related to social media companies.
Gottheimer emphasized the national security implications of allowing foreign entities access to vast amounts of user data through platforms like TikTok. He warned against the risks of enabling countries like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran to spread disinformation and gather personal information on millions of American users. With TikTok being a popular source of news for younger demographics, Gottheimer underscored the potential impact of unchecked disinformation campaigns on society.
The bipartisan support for the bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee reflects widespread concerns about the security and privacy risks associated with platforms like TikTok. Gottheimer, along with other lawmakers, including Mike Gallagher and Raja, who are co-sponsors of the bill, stressed the importance of addressing these issues to safeguard national interests.
As a member of the Intelligence Committee, Gottheimer reiterated the deep-seated worries surrounding the implications of foreign influence on social media platforms. The collective efforts of lawmakers on both the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Intelligence Committee underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for legislative action to mitigate potential threats.
