TikTok’s Democratic Consulting Firm Had Mystery White House Meeting Amid Legislative Onslaught, Records Show

SKDK, a massive Democratic public relations juggernaut that works for TikTok and other corporations, recently met with White House officials, according to visitor logs. CEO Doug Thornell and partner Oren Shur spoke with Caitlin Meloski, a special assistant to the National Economic Council, on December 20.

It’s unclear what was discussed during the meeting, but it has raised questions about TikTok’s influence over the Biden administration. SKDK was hired by TikTok in the last few months to provide “communications support” as the app faces a potential ban due to concerns about Chinese government spying. SKDK reportedly worked with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to prepare him for a congressional hearing last month in which he downplayed concerns about China’s control of the social media platform.

SKDK’s relationship with the Biden administration has also come under scrutiny due to its ties to founding partner and Biden adviser Anita Dunn. There are concerns that SKDK could use its political connections to gain access for its corporate clients. Dunn previously advised firms like Salesforce, AT&T, and Pfizer before leaving the firm last year.

It’s unclear if TikTok was discussed during Thornell and Shur’s White House visit, and it’s also unclear if Dunn was aware of or involved in the meeting. Both SKDK executives and the White House have declined to comment.

SKDK’s visit to the White House could also have non-commercial reasons. The company was the Biden campaign’s top outside consultant in the 2020 cycle and could be preparing for a potential 2024 Biden campaign. Shur advised the campaign on its paid media strategy according to his SKDK biography.

The National Economic Council promotes the president’s economic agenda and provides advice on economic policy, but it also provides opportunities for public relations firms like SKDK to promote federal initiatives and provide media training to government officials. During the Obama years, SKDK was paid by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for “strategic communications services.” In 2021, the Department of Transportation paid $50,000 to SKDK for “media training,” and the Department of Education paid $18,000 for media training and preparation for congressional hearings the same year.

TikTok has been lobbying hard to prevent a ban on its app due to growing bipartisan concern. President Biden signed a bill on December 30 to ban the use of TikTok on government-issued devices, but he has not weighed in on a possible full ban in the United States. Democrats have been noting that TikTok’s popularity with young people and liberals makes it valuable for the Democratic Party.

Several Democrats have played down concerns about China’s control of TikTok, and last month, the app sponsored a rally with Representative Jamaal Bowman and 20 TikTok influencers in Washington, D.C. Bowman accused Republicans of racism and xenophobia for wanting to ban the app and credited it with helping small business owners. Since then, several other Bowman allies in “The Squad” have defended TikTok.