'It's not going to go anywhere': Rep Michael Waltz breaks down implications of TikTok bill on 'Fox & Friends'

Michael Waltz said, 'At the end of the day, it's about our adversaries, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia not having control of half of America's data'
PUBLISHED APR 2, 2024
Co-host Joey Jones and Rep Michael Waltz on the March 31, 2024 episode of 'Fox & Friends' (Screengrab/Fox News)
Co-host Joey Jones and Rep Michael Waltz on the March 31, 2024 episode of 'Fox & Friends' (Screengrab/Fox News)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Rep Michael Waltz (R-Fla) appeared alongside co-host Joey Jones to discuss the driving reason behind the bipartisan TikTok ban bill on the Easter Sunday, March 31 episode of 'Fox & Friends.'

Introducing the subject, Jones shared that according to polls conducted by Fox News between March 22 and 25, voters were split on the question of the app being banned, but overwhelmingly agreed on the requirement of parental controls for children under 13 to be on the platform.

The necessity of passing the bill

"At the end of the day, it's about our adversaries ... China, Iran, North Korea, Russia not having control of half of America's data ... At the end of the day, we can divest it," Waltz told Jones when asked about the working of the bill.

"This is about Bytedance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, more than it is about TikTok itself... You'll see a group of investors ... come out and buy TikTok. It's not going to go anywhere," he shared, claiming that it was finally all about "the Chinese Communist party not having control of the data and not being able to manipulate the algorithms without anybody knowing."

"We wouldn't have allowed it with the Soviet Union back in (the) Cold War, and when we have (the) Chinese Communist party that's openly talking about destroying America, replacing America, the decline of democracy, the decline of capitalism, and the rise of themselves, we have to divest of this propaganda tool," added Waltz.

Rep Michael Waltz on the March 31, 2024 episode of 'Fox & Friends' (Screengrab/Fox News)
Rep Michael Waltz on the March 31, 2024 episode of 'Fox & Friends' (Screengrab/Fox News)

Transfer of control

Jones questioned whether the bill would hand over the controlling authority of TikTok to the President of the United States, which would be a point of concern for conservatives.

"That's why we're putting it in law," replied the Congressman. "I don't think any president through executive order should have this power, that's why we have a bipartisan law - both sides of the aisle."

"Again, this is about China ... I am always nervous about the role of government and the role of information, but if you're nervous about that (as a) conservative... you should be even more nervous about our greatest adversary having that kind of control over information and what we believe," he concluded.



 

MORE STORIES

Pete Hegseth says 'Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right' as top outlets reject new media restrictions and risk losing credentials
1 hour ago
Donald Trump said a very wealthy donor offered to personally cover troop pay if government shutdown funds fall short
5 hours ago
The six people are from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa
6 hours ago
President Donald Trump blamed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for the shutdown and confirmed ending several Democrat-backed federal programs
2 days ago
Donald Trump criticized Chuck Schumer over the shutdown and said he directed Pete Hegseth to use funds to ensure troops are paid on October 15
3 days ago
Several progressives who have long called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have not yet commented on the agreement’s terms or timeline
5 days ago
Trump posted a scathing montage, accusing Democrats of shutting down the government to please their 'radical left' base
6 days ago
John Kennedy is calling out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over the tough spot he’s in amid government shutdown
6 days ago
Top officials in the Trump administration discussed invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy military forces on US soil
6 days ago
Gavin Newsom rejected the bipartisan bill, calling it too costly and warning it could disrupt how California determines firefighter pay
7 days ago