Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson posted a video on TikTok apologizing for a vote that could help ban Chinese-owned apps from the United States.
“I messed this up, I did it,” said Jackson, who is running for North Carolina attorney general. said in the video Over the weekend. “And the reason I voted for it is because I truly believe that the chances of a ban are virtually zero for a variety of reasons, including economic, political, and geopolitical. I don’t believe there is. I still believe so.” That’s true, but maybe I got the balance wrong. ”
The freshman lawmaker said, “I apologize. I will let you know again.”
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Jackson, who has 2.3 million TikTok followers, said he has become “completely obsessed” with the app since the vote.
Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson posted a video on TikTok apologizing for a vote that could help ban Chinese-owned apps from the United States. (Congressman Jeff Jackson/jeffjacksonnc/TikTok)
“If I were you, I would probably feel the same way,” he said. “I would be pissed if I saw people like this who used this app to grow their following and then downvoted it.”
In the video, Jackson said he likes TikTok as a way to connect with people, but that there were “really disturbing” briefings about the app in Congress.
Jackson said he believes the House bill would force a sale of TikTok to a U.S. company, not an outright ban. Both Democrats and Republicans supported the bill, which passed the House on a 352-65 vote last week.
House passes bill that could ban TikTok in the US
The bill would block TikTok in the U.S. unless parent company ByteDance withdraws from the company within 165 days of its passage. (St. Petersburg)
The bill, sponsored by House China Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and ranking member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), would force parent company ByteDance to withdraw from TikTok domestically. If not, TikTok will be blocked in the US. 165 days have passed. It would also require purchases by countries that are not enemies of the United States.
TikTok’s critics have long called it a national security threat. They cite concerns about the Chinese government’s ability to use its power over ByteDance to access sensitive user data even in the United States, which the company denies.
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TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testified Thursday before a Congressional committee about security concerns surrounding the Chinese-owned app. (Fox News)
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Last week, Jackson uploaded a TikTok video in which he said the Chinese Communist Party could “tweak algorithms in ways that may be beneficial to them and may be harmful to us,” which is why the bill was passed overwhelmingly in Congress. He said this was the reason why he received such support.
China hawks also warn that the app is gaining popularity among young Americans and is giving the ruling Chinese Communist Party a platform for a massive influence campaign.
It’s unclear when the Senate will take up the bill, but several senators have already expressed support for selling social media apps.
FOX News Digital has contacted Jackson’s office for further comment.
FOX News’ Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
