While GOP candidates sparred over banning TikTok, the app marketed throughout debate breaks

Viewers of the GOP presidential debates watched candidates duke it out over whether or not TikTok ought to be banned, then noticed adverts for the app throughout business breaks.

Amid Wednesday evening’s debate in Miami, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy clashed with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley over the Chinese-owned app. He’s the one candidate with an account.

“She made fun of me for actually joining TikTok while her own daughter was actually using the app for a long time,” Mr. Ramaswamy stated. “So you might want to take care of your family first before preaching to anyone else.”

“Leave my daughter out of your voice,” Ms. Haley shot again, additionally calling him “scum.”

TikTok adverts have been seen throughout business breaks earlier than and after the argument between the candidates. Coverage of the talk was dwell on NBC News.

All of the candidates, minus Mr. Ramaswamy, stood in opposition to the app.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie stated he would ban the app the primary week he was president, calling it spyware and adware.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed with Mr. Christie, saying he’s involved about how the app will get knowledge from customers and what it’s doing to “pollute the minds” of younger Americans.

The app’s adverts additionally appeared throughout the second debate in Simi Valley, California, in September when Fox News was the host.

Ms. Haley lashed out at Mr. Ramaswamy over TikTok in that debate on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, “Honestly, every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber.”

That was adopted by a TikTok advert.

This yr, the White House instructed federal companies that they had 30 days to take away the app from all government-issued units, which led to state governments doing the identical. In March, President Biden threatened to ban the app if it wasn’t bought to an American firm.

This week, Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican, wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, calling for a TikTok ban because it’s a risk to “American national security.”