In a world where TikTok is not just being a fancy social media platform, but something that is also starting to shape public opinion, some politicians like Nikki Haley, who is running for the 2024 United States presidential election under the Republican party, are not liking the mixing of TikTok and politics.
During the second Republican debate held Wednesday, the former United Nations ambassador outright mocked the defense of one of her opponents, Vivek Ramaswamy, for launching his TikTok account after being encouraged to do so by influencer Jake Paul.
The moderator asked Ramaswamy if it was presidential to be so “easily persuaded by an influencer,” the presidential candidate argued that the Republicans must win the next election, and “reaching the next generation of young Americans where they are” is a move that they must take.
Haley then interjected, saying, “This is infuriating because TikTok is one of the most dangerous social media apps that we could have and what you’ve got… Honestly everytime I hear you I feel a little bit dumber from what you say.”
It could be remembered that also around this time in 2020, former Republican president Donald Trump banned TikTok from app stores in the United States.
Nikki Haley served as the governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 before becoming an ambassador for the United Nations.
Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy is an entrepreneur who founded the pharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences in 2014.
A few weeks ago, Jake Paul showed his support for Ramaswamy by doing a TikTok dance video with the presidential candidate.
Jake Paul is a professional boxer and social media personality who has around 17 million followers on TikTok.
