During the second GOP presidential primary debate on September 27, Republican candidate Nikki Haley fiercely criticized her opponent Vivek Ramaswamy for being on TikTok. The Chinese video-sharing app has faced scrutiny for its potential as a tool for espionage by Beijing. The debate took place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Ramaswamy is the only 2024 candidate who has joined TikTok so far. Just days before joining, he had condemned the platform for aiding Beijing in spreading “digital fentanyl” to Americans. The 38-year-old entrepreneur credited YouTube influencer and boxer Jake Paul for changing his mind, arguing that TikTok is crucial for reaching out to young people.
When confronted by a moderator about whether a commander-in-chief should be easily influenced by an influencer, Ramaswamy responded with a “radical idea for the Republican Party.”
“We need to win elections. And part of how we win elections is reaching the next generation of young Americans where they are,” Ramaswamy declared. “While the Democrats are dominating in reaching the next generation, there’s only one person in the Republican Party who talks about reaching young people, and that’s me.”
Ramaswamy’s response sparked disapproval from the debate stage.
“TikTok is one of the most dangerous social media apps we could have,” Haley retorted, drawing chuckles from the crowd. “Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber for what you say.”
“Because I can’t believe—they hear you got a TikTok situation, what they’re doing is these 150 million people are on TikTok, that means they can get your contacts, they can get your financial information, they can get your emails, they can get your text messages, China knows exactly what they’re doing.
“We can’t trust you.”
TikTok, owned by Beijing-based tech giant ByteDance, has been banned from government devices in several countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the European Union, due to national security concerns.
Republican presidential candidates, (L-R) former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy participate in the FOX Business Republican Primary Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Sept. 27, 2023. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
While TikTok’s executives have downplayed its links to China, the app has aligned with the regime’s talking points. TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew has been reluctant to acknowledge human rights abuses against Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang region.
Lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum have expressed concerns about TikTok potentially sharing U.S. user data with Chinese authorities. The app’s addictive nature, driven by its algorithm that tailors content to user behavior, has also raised alarms.
Ramaswamy, without addressing the security concerns, proposed banning anyone under 16 from using “addictive social media.”
“This isn’t Republican or Democrat, but if you’re 16 years old or under, you should not be using an addictive social media product, period,” he stated. “We can prioritize the mental health of this country while combating the fentanyl epidemic.”
Ramaswamy’s deputy communications director, Stefan Mychajliw, emphasized the need to reach the youth vote. “These are the rules of the game: Vivek Ramaswamy does not make them; we need to reach the youth vote,” he explained.
Chris Grant, senior adviser to Ramaswamy’s campaign, echoed this sentiment and dismissed Haley as a threat. “We don’t spend a lot of time thinking about Nikki Haley,” Grant said. “Nikki Haley clearly spends a lot of time thinking and getting angry about Vivek Ramaswamy.”
A TikTok ad is aired on Fox News during the FOX Business Republican Primary Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Sept. 27, 2023. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times)
Despite the negative perception of TikTok during the debate, the app made its presence felt through TV advertisements that highlighted success stories of TikTok users. These ads aired multiple times on Fox Business during the debate.
Janice Hisle and Nathan Worcester contributed to this report.
A powerful tool for political campaigns, and reaching younger audiences can be crucial for electoral success
Ion. Additionally, the app has been accused of censoring content that is critical of the Chinese government, further raising concerns about user privacy and freedom of speech.
Haley’s criticism of Ramaswamy’s TikTok presence resonated with many Republican voters who view the app as a threat to national security. The issue of China’s influence and potential espionage has been a major concern for conservatives, and Haley’s strong stance against TikTok aligns with their anxieties.
However, Ramaswamy’s argument for using TikTok as a platform to reach young voters cannot be dismissed outright. Social media has become
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