POV: You're on TikTok, and so is the governor. That's despite Congress considering banning the app from state-run devices and networks.
Efforts to ban TikTok, citing security concerns about Chinese influence through TikTok, have gained momentum in state legislatures over the past year, with broader bans proposed in Congress. In Pennsylvania, a bill that first passed the state Senate unanimously last year could soon be sent to the Democratic governor's desk if it moves forward.
But even as the app faces intense scrutiny and bans, governors, state agencies, and even President Joe Biden continue to use it to advance their own initiatives and expand their voting base. are using. Their target is the youth vote, who make up the bulk of the app's 170 million U.S. user base.
Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is a prolific poster, starting with his campaign through his personal account. He is a rising star in the Democratic Party, one of several governors with a national profile and a possible bid for the White House in 2028.
His polite message also extends to the governor's official TikTok account. Colored with all his priorities and stances, the video sees him take part in viral trends, dissect aspects of the budget proposal, and even take a dig at Texas through a Beyoncé song.
Among other verified accounts, Democrats are the only ones using TikTok accounts, even in states where other governors have banned the app from state devices and networks.
Anupam Chander, a visiting scholar at Harvard University's Institute for Social Media Rebooting, said it's no surprise that politicians use TikTok heavily. It is even more surprising that it does not.
Such outreach has its roots in President Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats during the Great Depression, when Americans would gather around the radio to hear his voice. Recently, social media has become more popular during elections, such as former President Barack Obama's comments on his Facebook in 2008 and former President Donald Trump's comments on his Twitter (now X) in 2016. It's lively.
“This is an app that can be very personal. You can share your walk to the Senate floor or your elation when your vote passed. Or your disappointment when your vote fails. ” he said. “This is a way to approach people in a very personal way.”
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been an early and, well, fairly active user of TikTok during his campaign, with one young Republican claiming that his social media presence “gained popularity.” ” he said.
“Many young voters are receptive to a candidate like Ramaswamy because of his youth and new generation policies,” Victoria Carlson, a spokeswoman for the George Washington University Republicans, told CBS News in September. It seems like it's happening,” he said.
In Michigan, the app was banned from government devices in March 2023, with some exceptions, but the app has been updated to include videos of cute dogs, March Madness shows, and news about her efforts. These include Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's promotional account, which has served 5,000 followers.
In New Jersey, government-related apps are posting jokes and memes. An exception to New Jersey's law banning TikTok from government devices allows postings from out-of-state networks with permission. Other government accounts across the country also tout state parks as helping to promote tourism, events and small businesses.
In Pennsylvania, steaming mugs of tea from Shapiro and his edgy catchphrase, “Get S—t Done,” and kids thanking teachers as they head back to school. I have a slightly unstable video that I recorded myself. A play on the popular “Point of View” videos in which creators set up scenarios, Shapiro appears concerned over the text “POV: When extremists try to stop the counting of legitimate votes.” .
“The governor believes, and the current administration believes, that there should be no wrong door to government,” said Manuel Bonder, a spokesman for Mr. Shapiro.
TikTok is part of that landscape, he says. Bonder said the government has a dedicated cell phone just for making TikTok, which doesn't use the state's Wi-Fi and doesn't have any other apps on it.
“Banning state devices and networks prevents state agencies from providing information to a wide audience. Bills like this are being pushed through without any regard for the facts,” a TikTok spokesperson said. Jamal Brown said.
In 2022, researchers discovered more than 100 accounts of people running for Congress. The majority were Democrats, said Maggie McDonald, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Kentucky.
“Apparently, Democrats are the only ones having this discussion in terms of having an account and having a ban on it,” she said.
