Ricketts Slams TikTok as CCP-Controlled News Platform on Senate Floor

April 23, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) slammed TikTok as a Chinese Communist Party news platform. Ricketts voted to move forward with a legislative package that includes legislation to ban foreign adversary-owned apps from the U.S.

“The percentage of TikTok users who regularly get their news from the app has doubled since 2020. The problem, however, is what slant that news has, and it’s entirely being controlled by the Chinese Communist Party…” Ricketts said.“ We don’t allow this for TV stations or radio stations. You have to be a U.S. citizen to own a TV station or radio station in this country. Why are we letting our greatest adversary in the world on a news platform?”

“I believe the Chinese Communist Party is the greatest threat we face in this nation. They’re fighting smart, trying to undermine us from within and using technology like TikTok to do it. Together, by passing this bill, it’s my hope that we will send a message, [a] loud message and clear message that America is not open to the CCP influence. We are taking a stand to protect our own, protect our values, and end a major Chinese Communist Party tool to attack us,” Ricketts closed.