Skip Navigation

Senator faces backlash for asking TikTok CEO [Singaporean] if he’s a secret Chinese communist

www.independent.co.uk Senator faces backlash for asking TikTok CEO if he’s a secret Chinese communist

‘Happy to provide additional basic facts to you or your staff that I learned in elementary school. Ask anytime,’ California Democrat tells Tom Cotton

Senator faces backlash for asking TikTok CEO if he’s a secret Chinese communist

‘Happy to provide additional basic facts to you or your staff that I learned in elementary school. Ask anytime,’ California Democrat tells Tom Cotton

Tom Cotton is facing widespread criticism after he asked Singaporean TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew if had “ever been a member of the Chinese Communist Party”.

The Arkansas Republican senator pursued the much-ridiculed line of questioning during a Senate hearing on child safety on social media on Wednesday, which was attended by a number of big tech CEOs such as Mr Chew.

“You said today, as you often say, that you live in Singapore – of what nation are you a citizen?” Mr Cotton asked.

“Singapore,” the CEO responded.

...

“Have you ever been a member of the Chinese Communist Party?” Mr Cotton then asked.

“Senator, I'm Singaporean – no,” Mr Chew responded.

Unable to let the matter go, Mr Cotton asked: “Have you ever been associated or affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party?”

“No, senator, again, I'm Singaporean,” the tech CEO said.

46
46 comments
You've viewed 46 comments.