Senator Hawley has called for a TikTok ban over what he alleges is anti-Israel content on the popular social media platform. Hawley made an official statement through his office on Monday, November 7th, stating that TikTok should be banned in the United States due to biased content that specifically targets Israel. Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, said he is taking action against TikTok because of the app’s “anti-Israel, anti-Semitic hate content”. He described the company as a “mouthpiece for communist China and their vision for the world”. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has previously been accused of bias and political censorship in its content.
Hawley’s call for a TikTok ban comes as the Israel-Hamas war is in full swing. The conflict has been a contentious issue in the United States, with concerns about the impact on voters and the U.S. presidential election. Another news article pointed out how the Israel-Hamas war could cost Biden votes, especially with a key demographic. Biden’s approval rating has dropped to a seven-month low of 39% according to a recent poll. This may be tied to his handling of the conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, social media censorship and political content also continue to be at the forefront, with the suggestion that TikTok is enabling anti-Israel hate speech.
In the midst of these issues, other news articles highlight different topics such as the rise and fall of the company WeWork, new tech and patent lawsuits involving Nike and other footwear companies, and notable companies filing for bankruptcy. These news items all contribute to the political, social, and economic landscape of the United States and the world.