News Analysis
Social media giant TikTok is on a lobbying warpath in the nation’s capital ahead of Congressional hearings on the company’s ties to China’s communist regime.
TikTok and its China-based parent company, ByteDance, spent more than $5 million on lobbying efforts in the United States last year and could spend even more in 2023 if recent events are any indicator.
The company has hired an in-house lobbying and public affairs team led by former congressional staffers with deep ties to the Biden administration, and it’s also sponsoring content in major U.S. media outlets.
Those employed by the tech giant include consulting firm SKDK, whose founder is now a senior adviser to President Joe Biden. Media purchases include dozens of pieces of sponsored content in Axios, Politico, and the Washington Post. And the company is also paying for dozens of influencers to descend on the capital for three days to give speeches in favor of the company….