Sen. Tom Cotton raised concerns during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the appointment of Shou Zi Chew as CEO of TikTok, noting his previous ties to the Chinese Communist Party and a deal with a Chinese government investment fund.
Cotton pointed out the timing of Chew’s appointment, which occurred the day after the deal was finalized, calling it a “hell of a coincidence.”
Sen. Cotton asked, “In return for that one percent golden share, the party took one of three board seats at that subsidiary company, is that correct.”
TikTok’s CEO dodged simple questions today about both his and TikTok’s relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.
Shou Chew knows that anyone, especially senior leadership in a Chinese company, can work with the Chinese communists. pic.twitter.com/AHYhFEVdvw
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 31, 2024
“It’s for the Chinese business, yes,” replied the TikTok CEO.
“That deal was finalized on April 30, 2021. Isn’t it true that you were appointed the CEO of TikTok the very next day on May 1, 2021?” asked Cotton.
“It’s a coincidence,” the TikTok CEO answered.
“That’s a hell of a coincidence,” exclaimed Cotton.
He highlighted Chew’s evasion of questions about TikTok’s relationship with the Chinese Communist Party and emphasized the risks of data sharing with the Chinese government.
Cotton concluded by advocating for a ban on TikTok due to these concerns.
Sen. Cotton later wrote, “TikTok’s CEO dodged simple questions today about both his and TikTok’s relationship with the Chinese Communist Party. Shou Chew knows that anyone, especially senior leadership in a Chinese company, can work with the Chinese communists.”
“TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is required to turn over any American’s data the Chinese Communist Party asks for. Yet TikTok’s CEO wants us to believe the app is safe for Americans. He’s lying, and we should ban TikTok,” he continued.
