In a surprising move, Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona has launched a TikTok account for his upcoming 2024 Senate campaign, despite previously expressing concerns about the platform’s ties to national security threats. This development has raised eyebrows, considering Gallego’s history of advocating for privacy rights and holding China accountable for its actions.
Gallego, who is running for the Senate seat currently held by independent Senator Kyrsten Sinema, has been vocal about the potential risks associated with TikTok. In 2020, he stated that the Chinese-owned app “may be” a national security threat, emphasizing the need to prevent it from gathering personal information for future use. He even expressed interest in joining the House committee on China and mentioned TikTok as an entity that should be investigated.
However, despite these concerns, Gallego has now decided to embrace the Chinese-linked app as he seeks the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat. Just recently, he uploaded his first video on his verified TikTok account, featuring a compilation of individuals showcasing “Ruben Gallego for Arizona” signs.
This move has drawn criticism from Republicans and some Democrats who have also expressed reservations about TikTok’s connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It highlights a potential inconsistency in Gallego’s stance on national security and raises questions about his commitment to protecting privacy rights.
Responding to the backlash, a spokesperson for Gallego’s campaign assured that the senator remains committed to holding the CCP accountable and protecting the security of Arizonans. They emphasized his track record in Congress and his determination to fight for privacy rights.
It is worth noting that Gallego is not the only Democrat who has shown a change of heart regarding TikTok. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, who had previously expressed concerns about the platform’s ties to the CCP, later created an account to promote his own re-election campaign. This pattern raises concerns about the consistency and sincerity of some politicians’ stances on national security issues.
As the 2024 campaign trail heats up, Gallego’s decision to embrace TikTok despite past concerns adds an interesting twist to the race for the Arizona Senate seat. It remains to be seen how voters will react to this move and whether it will impact Gallego’s chances of securing the Democratic nomination.
In a time when national security and privacy concerns are at the forefront of political debates, politicians’ actions regarding platforms like TikTok are under scrutiny. The ongoing debate over the app’s ties to the CCP and its potential risks to privacy and national security shows no signs of abating. As the 2024 elections approach, voters will undoubtedly be paying close attention to candidates’ positions on these issues.
