Something fishy is going on. Senator Rubio is on it…
Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has taken aim at several major corporations, including Comcast and Disney, accusing them of a double standard in their recent decision to boycott the American social media app X while continuing to engage with the Chinese-owned platform TikTok. In letters sent to the CEOs of 18 companies on December 12, Senator Rubio, a senior member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, highlighted the origins of the boycott and raised concerns about the companies’ selective approach.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) criticized companies including Comcast and Disney for having a double standard, over their recent decision to boycott American social media app X but not Chinese-owned TikTok. Ted Hearn
The senator revealed that his office’s review indicated the boycott of X originated from the left-wing advocacy group, Media Matters. X, formerly Twitter, has responded with a defamation lawsuit against Media Matters, accusing the non-profit organization of falsely alleging that the platform promotes pro-Nazi content. While Rubio emphasized that he takes no stance on whether companies should boycott X, he urged them to consider the potential tarnishing of their brands associated with TikTok.
Rubio’s criticism centers on the apparent contradiction of companies expressing concerns about their image on social media while actively maintaining a presence on TikTok, a platform owned by ByteDance, subject to the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Rubio characterized the CCP as a brutal group seeking to weaken the United States and subvert its way of life.
Will these companies boycott TikTok? The China-controlled app spies on journalists, interferes in elections, and stores vast data in China.
Sent a letter to 18 companies boycotting X calling out their hypocrisy⬇️https://t.co/9RxVT27Ctz pic.twitter.com/JRSbK6lO9V
— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) December 12, 2023
The recipients of Rubio’s letters included prominent companies such as Airbnb, Amazon, Apple, Coca-Cola, Comcast, Disney, Google, IBM, Jack in the Box, Lionsgate, Microsoft, Netflix, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Uber, Walmart, Warner Bros. Discovery, and the Washington Post.
The senator highlighted that the White House, U.S. armed forces, and over 30 U.S. states have already banned TikTok, with New York City joining the ban, citing security threats to its technical networks. FBI Director Christopher Wray had earlier expressed concerns about TikTok, emphasizing national security risks associated with the platform.
How can you boycott X but not TikTok? pic.twitter.com/X3PlxuLs5o
— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) December 14, 2023
Rubio outlined various reasons Americans should avoid TikTok, including China’s national-security laws granting the CCP access to data managed by Chinese firms, making TikTok a significant liability. He noted instances of TikTok content glorifying the Hamas terrorist group and promoting extremist ideologies, contributing to the CCP’s strategy of distracting, dividing, and influencing Americans.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)Calls Out Companies For Remaining On TikTok While Boycotting X–“Due to your company’s apparent concern for its image on social media, I was fascinated to learn that it maintains an active presence on TikTok…” whiteaglesoring
While the U.S. has intensified efforts to counter CCP threats, Rubio warned that the Chinese regime is playing the long game, attempting to infiltrate U.S. politics at every level using subversive methods and unrestricted warfare.
Referencing a report by the House Select Committee on the CCP, Rubio suggested resetting the U.S.-China relationship by raising tariffs and cutting off capital flows. He also pointed to media reports, including a 2022 Forbes article, revealing ByteDance employees using TikTok to improperly track American journalists.
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Rubio accused TikTok’s CEO of lying under oath regarding data storage, further eroding trust in the platform. He emphasized that the application’s founder and TikTok itself cannot be trusted, citing the CEO’s refusal to take a position on the CCP’s persecution of Uyghurs during a congressional hearing.
Senator Rubio expressed his dismay at the double standard of boycotting an American social media application while maintaining a presence on a platform controlled by America’s greatest adversary. He called on the companies to reassess their ties with TikTok if they believe cutting ties with X is necessary, emphasizing the urgency of such action.
Senator Marco Rubio calling out American CEO’s for pulling advertisements from Elon Musk’s “X” while still remaining on Chinese-owned TikTok — @davidwebbshow joins @dagenmcdowell and @BrianBrenberg pic.twitter.com/4lWyFrVGP4
— The Bottom Line (@BottomLineFBN) December 14, 2023
Senator Marco Rubio calling out American CEO’s for pulling advertisements from Elon Musk’s “X” while still remaining on Chinese-owned TikTok
Major Points Discussed:
- Senator Marco Rubio criticizes major corporations, including Comcast and Disney, for boycotting the American social media app X while maintaining a presence on the Chinese-owned TikTok.
- Rubio’s letters to 18 CEOs reveal that the boycott against X originated from the left-wing advocacy group, Media Matters, and emphasizes that he takes no stance on the X boycott but urges companies to consider the potential tarnishing of their brands associated with TikTok.
- The senator highlights the contradiction of companies expressing concern for their social media image while actively engaging with TikTok, a platform under the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which Rubio describes as seeking to weaken the United States.
- Rubio underscores that the White House, U.S. armed forces, and over 30 U.S. states have already banned TikTok, citing national security risks. He details various reasons Americans should avoid TikTok, including China’s national-security laws giving the CCP access to data managed by Chinese firms.
- The senator accuses TikTok of hosting content that glorifies terrorist groups like Hamas and promotes extremist ideologies, contributing to the CCP’s strategy of distracting, dividing, and influencing Americans. Rubio calls on the companies to reassess their ties with TikTok, stressing the urgency of action.
James Kravitz, freelance writer for Whatfinger News
Comments – Threads – Links
- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) criticized companies including Comcast and Disney for having a double standard, over their recent decision to boycott American social media app X but not Chinese-owned TikTok. – NTD News
- If American companies are concerned with their public image on social media, they should leave TikTok, which is controlled by Communist China and spies on Americans. – Senator Marco Rubio
- This statement needs to be unpacked with nuance. While China’s laws can compel companies based in China to cooperate with government intelligence efforts, it’s not accurate to say that TikTok is “controlled” by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the direct sense that the government manages its day-to-day operations. They store the data for U.S. users in the United States. The assertion that TikTok “spies on Americans” requires concrete evidence. – DissentWave
- DEMs are China Symps and Communists … “Due to your company’s apparent concern for its image on social media, I was fascinated to learn that it maintains an active presence on TikTok…” – Chris Djernaes
- Republican Senator Calls Out Companies For Remaining On TikTok While Boycotting X – Renard ꑭ
- Sen.@marcorubio: “I am appalled by the double standard of boycotting an American social-media application while maintaining a presence on a social-media application controlled by America’s greatest adversary.” – Newsbusters