Do Americans want to ban TikTok?

A Washington Post poll finds that 41 percent of Americans support a federal ban of the popular short-video app, while 25 percent say they oppose it. And 71 percent are concerned that TikTok’s parent company is based in China, including 36 percent who say they are “very concerned.”

Here is the WaPo article.  A single poll on this issue is not dispositive, but still it suggests to me that if our politicians force the sale of TikTok to an American company that would not be an electorally unpopular move.

You can see the broader pattern here:

1. Change starts with the states, many of which have been restricting the use of TikTok on government phones.  Then the momentum spreads to the federal government.

2. American companies end up heavily favored (yes the competitors gain, as a side issue who will Elizabeth Warren allow to buy TikTok?  Certainly not Meta.)  Market concentration rises.

3. National security considerations, or ostensible national security considerations, win out.

4. For all the talk of polarization and gridlock, both parties get on board.

5. TikTok is the Girardian sacrifice to the American national vision, which in any case proceeds with rampant surveillance.

6. We then move on to the next thing.

Welcome to American history people!

As you may recall, I do not favor a ban on TikTok, but a forced sale, at the very least, now seems likely.