TIKTOK TICK TOCK — The Weekly Opine

No sense falling on your sword over TikTok. (Photo credit CNN, Variety)

Biden’s time bomb?

They say a person should always know when to say, “when.” In other words (since March Madness is upon us), don’t put your starters back in a blowout game because someone’s liable to get hurt. Given his experience and wisdom, it’s surprising to watch as President Joe Biden leans too far over his skis, twice just recently, when all he needed to do was enjoy the fruits of success without taking unnecessary chances.

Literally walking back

A few weeks ago, Biden was baking from high heat coming from an electorate, and the media, concerned about his mental capacity to serve another term as president. The heat reached a boiling point after the release of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report that detailed results of Hur’s investigation into Biden taking classified documents.

To set the record straight, Biden held a press conference during which he capably held serve, even as things turned combative during Q & A with White House reporters. At the conclusion, Biden walked painfully slowly from behind the lectern toward the side exit. But then, just a few steps from disappearing (and claiming victory), he made the regrettable decision to turn around, and walked painfully slowly back to the lectern to answer a question regarding Gaza.

In the process of explaining why aid wasn’t passing through Egypt into Gaza, Biden became confused and said something about the president of Mexico not allowing aid to pass from Egypt into Gaza. Bingo! In the blink of an eye defeat was stolen from the jaws of victory. It was an unforced error that poured gasoline on the narrative Biden is losing his mind.

State of the Union high

One week ago, under as much pressure as any president has ever felt to demonstrate his sea worthiness, Joe Biden delivered a stellar State of the Union address. Biden methodically, yet passionately, reviewed his administration’s many accomplishments while painting a forward-looking, optimistic vision for America in sharp contrast to Trump’s surly vision of negativity, grievance and fascism.

Biden was forceful and sharp, coming up with witty, fact-based zingers when senseless Republicans, namely trailer-trash queen Marjorie Taylor Greene, rudely shouted lies at him. It was a command performance by Biden.

The president left the SOTU with wind in his sails as he hit the campaign trail. And he’s been further buoyed by the release of the full transcript of his interview with Special Counsel Hur.

The transcript of their interview uncovers that Hur lied about Biden not remembering the date of his son’s death. Additionally, the transcript reveals Hur said Biden has a “photographic understanding and recall.” A much different impression than what Hur provided in his deceitful report to the public. During testimony this week at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Democrat members shredded the hapless Hur, exposing him as another in a long line of dopey Republican fraudulent liars.

But, instead of soaring along comfortably, Biden encounters turbulence by committing a major unforced error. And it could cost him his dwindling advantage with young voters.

Young voters will sprint away from President Biden if he bans TikTok. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Anti-social media

According to reporting by MSNBC, when Biden beat Trump in 2020, he enjoyed a 24-point advantage among young voters. Polling now shows Biden leads by a mere four points, barely outside the margin of error. Biden cannot risk further irritating young voters, as he’s already catching hell from many young voters because of his slow response to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s butchering of innocent civilians in Gaza.

But in what can only be described as stupid, Biden has put a stake in the ground against a super-popular social media platform that’s used by 170 million mostly young people in America. TikTok is wildly popular and is the best way to reach young voters. Many young voters watched highlights of Biden’s SOTU on TikTok and get most of their news via the platform.

Unfortunately, TikTok is owned by a Chinese company, ByteDance, allegedly controlled by the Chinese government. There is fear China could misuse personal data and influence U.S. elections. (Kinda like Facebook and X/Twitter can do the same.) So, the House just passed legislation that would ban TikTok in the U.S., unless China’s government divests its control/ownership.

Amazingly, none of his advisors convinced Biden that it’s a terrible idea to tell young voters he will sign off to kill TikTok if the bill lands on his desk. Luckily, the House bill will likely die in the Senate, where concern about free expression resides. But some damage has been done. Young voters, already seething, i.e., protesting in the streets over Biden’s mishandling of Gaza, have another reason to believe Biden is out of touch.

President Biden, my man, you were in a toast-of-the-town groove coming out of the SOTU. Your monumental performance won over many reluctant voters. Your display of firm displeasure with Netanyahu is better-late-than-never. Your sincerity trying to retrieve the hostages is admirable. And your policy positions are in tune with most Americans and are way better for young voters than Trump’s back-to-the-1950s vision.

Don’t mess things up over banning TikTok. Be smarter than that.