TikTok Buys Line to the White House, Schumer

TikTok retained a top Democratic PR firm whose founder is President Joe Biden’s top advisor. The move is part of a charm offensive to fight regulation of the popular social media app and comes as the White House has signaled support to ban it in the United States.

SKDK Will provide “communications support” TikTok is facing bipartisan legislation that could ban the United States from its social media platform because of its connections to the Chinese government. SKDK could be a strong ally in these efforts. Anita Dunn (SKDK’s founding partner) serves as a senior adviser for Biden. She was responsible for shaping the White House’s response when classified documents were discovered at Biden’s offices. Bob Bauer, the Biden lawyer, has been her husband. So called “the couple at the center of Biden’s inner circle.”

Several former SKDK employees are now employed in the administration. Kate Berner, deputy White House communications director, is one of them. SKDK has been Called The “go-to communications firm” Recent alumni of Sen. Chuck Schumer, D., N.Y. Poached Justin Goodman, Schumer communications director, will be in charge of crisis communications in the Washington, D.C., Office.

American intelligence officials have warned Beijing that TikTok could allow them to monitor Americans and distribute pro-China propaganda to their users. Federal agencies have been ordered by the Biden administration to delete TikTok off their government phones. A bipartisan group has suggested that the United States ban the app. This would be devastating for TikTok which is estimated to have more than 100,000,000 users.

Schumer last month stated that TikTok would be banned in the United States. “should be looked at,” But he hasn’t taken a position. New York Democrat Schumer has been criticized for not holding votes to regulate Big Tech companies. Schumer’s critics cited the fact that Schumer and his daughters are lobbyists for Amazon.

SKDK is home to many Schumer alumni. Mike Morey is a partner in SKDK’s New York City office. He was formerly a communications director. Justin Goodman, a Schumer aide, joined SKDK’s New York City office in November. “corporate, crisis communications, and public affairs clients.” SKDK praises Goodman’s ability to “secure favorable media coverage in major print and cable news outlets.”

TikTok allows Beijing to access its user data. The company has launched a full court press in Washington and Europe to stop regulation of the app. To promote a proposal that would allow the company to continue operations and create a firewall between China and it, TikTok has held meetings with Washington technology trade groups and think tanks. TikTok’s lobbyist army has also been swarming Capitol Hill to present their proposals to Congress. A similar initiative is being taken in Europe by the company called “Project Clover.”