Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany accused TikTok of aiding migrants in crossing the southern border after commending the House for passing the most recent divestment bill.
On Wednesday morning, The House passed a bill to compel ByteDance, a China-based company, to sell its ownership of TikTok within six months or face a ban from operating in the U.S.
McEnany praised the bipartisan decision by the House, stating on Outnumbered that both parties recognize that the social media app wields significant political influence to shape the minds of young children.
The former White House press secretary then proceeded to allege that the app assists undocumented migrants in crossing the border, referring to previous comments by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).
TikTok is a national security threat, and TikTok has immense political power and persuasion. This is all part of a China influence campaign. You see this? The secret police stations, the Confucius Institutes, TikTok. This is a national security threat. And look at the way TikTok frames huge events in our country. I just spoke with Senator Josh Hawley, who said to me, you know, one of the ways illegal immigrants are coming across the southern border is via TikTok. TikTok is a part of that equation…So TikTok is shaping national security events. It’s shaping the minds of young children, but it has immense political power, and both parties know that.
Her remarks come after her former boss and Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, spoke out against banning the app by asserting that it would strengthen Facebook, whom he called the “enemy of the people.”
In 2020, Trump strongly advocated for banning TikTok and utilized emergency powers to target ByteDance. During his presidency, he signed an executive order prohibiting U.S. companies from engaging in transactions with the TikTok owner.
Watch the clip above via Fox News.
