Staff Reports
During a hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, faced some tough questions from Alabama Republican Rep. Gary Palmer. Specifically, Palmer called out TikTok executive Michael Beckerman for avoiding questions about China’s ongoing genocide against Uyghur Muslims. In December, Beckerman denied allegations of censorship and refused to acknowledge the genocide and concentration camps. Palmer did not let him off the hook.
Rep. Gary Palmer Calls Out Smirking TikTok Lobbyist Sitting Directly Behind CEO https://t.co/FRN27IdJLl via @dailycaller
— Heather Hunter (@heatherhunterdc) March 23, 2023
Palmer questioned Chew, asking if Beckerman, TikTok’s vice president and head of public policy for the Americas, was part of the team preparing for this hearing. Chew confirmed he was. Palmer then asked where Beckerman was, and Chew pretended not to know. After Palmer pointed out that Beckerman was sitting behind Chew, he demanded to know why Beckerman refused to condemn the Chinese communist government’s treatment of Uyghurs when asked about it during an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN.
.@USRepGaryPalmer Calls Out Smirking TikTok Lobbyist Sitting Directly Behind CEO pic.twitter.com/klrCx76asI
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) March 23, 2023
Palmer went on to ask why Beckerman wouldn’t address the issue, even though the United States and the UN have classified the treatment of the Uyghur minority as genocide and a crime against humanity, respectively. He demanded to know whether TikTok was afraid of upsetting the Chinese communist government. Chew tried to dodge the question, but Palmer wouldn’t let him.
It’s clear that TikTok and its executives can’t be trusted. They are not willing to stand up against atrocities committed by governments like the Chinese communist party. It’s worrying to think what else TikTok might be censoring or keeping from its users. Conservatives need to band together to hold this company accountable and push for more transparency. The American people deserve to know what they’re really signing up for when they download this app.
