TikTok focuses on Senate as House heads toward divestment vote

TikTok’s Chief Executive Officer Shou Chew went to Capitol Hill Tuesday to lobby against a bill that would force the app’s Chinese parent to sell it or face a ban in the U.S.

Joined by influencers from the popular short-video platform, Chew sought to persuade senators to reject the legislation. A vote in the House of Representatives scheduled for Wednesday appeared increasingly likely to get the two-thirds approval necessary even though former President Donald Trump has reversed his stand and suggested he opposes a ban.

Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, said he was among those contacted by TikTok. “I’m telling them, and I’ve been clear, I’m voting for that, so you’re wasting your time,” he said, referring to the House bill. 

“I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on Drunk Elephant at Sephora because of my tween,” Fetterman said, referring to a skincare brand that’s gone viral on the app, prompting teens and tweens to flood Sephora locations. “That’s annoying but I think there’s a security issue as well too. And if they have nothing to hide, then TikTok should be the first ones to say, ‘Let’s remove any kinds of possible connection there.’ And I support that.”