TikTok lobbyist on board of AOC-advised group funded by China's ByteDance: 'Influence peddling'

Gabe Kaminsky

April 04, 11:35 AM April 04, 11:35 AM

One of the top lobbyists for TikTok sits on the board of directors of a nonprofit group that has pocketed cash from the app's Chinese parent company ByteDance and is advised by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a staunch opponent of banning TikTok in the United States, records show.

Ocasio-Cortez opens herself up to a conflict of interest by railing against TikTok ban proposals while helping to advise the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, a nonprofit group that in December 2022 received $150,000 from ByteDance, watchdog groups previously told the Washington Examiner. That same charity, which used the funds to support members of its affiliated Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has a board member named Jesse Price who is TikTok's public policy director, according to its website and most recent publicly available tax forms.

AOC SLAMMED BY WATCHDOGS FOR BOOSTING TIKTOK: 'SWAMPY STUFF'

"There appears to be a conflict of interest between AOC's position supporting TikTok on several levels," Paul Kamenar, counsel to the National Legal and Policy Center, a conservative ethics watchdog that is weighing legal action, told the Washington Examiner. "This kind of influence peddling from a Communist China company raises serious ethical questions."

Ocasio-Cortez joined TikTok last month and posted a video in which she raised concerns over the idea of a TikTok ban, which has picked up steam as Congress weighs national and privacy security concerns over the app's ties to China. President Joe Biden signed a $1.7 trillion spending package in December 2022 that banned the app from government devices, which has not stopped several "Squad" members, including Ocasio-Cortez, from maintaining active app accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers, the Washington Examiner reported.

It's unclear whether the Squad Democrats, which also include the likes of Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), have used official devices for their TikTok posts. Several bills have been introduced to restrict TikTok in the U.S., including one by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) that would ban the app outright. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD) are behind legislation that would grant further powers to the Commerce Department to examine if foreign business deals pose security risks.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, which was founded in 1978 by Hispanic members of Congress, received a $150,000 contribution on Dec. 13, 2022, from ByteDance as part of the company's expansive lobbying blitz that year, according to federal disclosures. TikTok and ByteDance, a multibillion-dollar Chinese technology company with links to the Chinese Communist Party, have spent over $13.4 million lobbying the federal government since 2019, disclosures show.

Price was first listed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in 2019 as a board member, according to tax forms. Before joining TikTok in 2020, he lobbied on behalf of the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company from 2008 and 2020, disclosures show.

Between 2020 and 2022, Price appeared in ByteDance lobbying disclosures totaling over $10.7 million. He's made $7,750 in campaign donations during his time at TikTok, which have been to Democrats, including Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), campaign finance disclosures show.

It's unclear when TikTok and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute first initiated a partner relationship. In 2022, TikTok helped sponsor the institute's annual awards gala, which recognizes Latino leaders "across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors," documents show.

TikTok received publicity on half a page in the awards gala's program — noting it "salutes" the charity "and its mission to develop the next generation of Latino leaders."

"We work to engage policymakers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders across the political spectrum on issues that are important to our business and to the diverse and vibrant community on our platform," Brooke Oberwetter, a spokeswoman for TikTok, told the Washington Examiner. "As a company that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, TikTok is strongly aligned with CHCI's mission of developing leadership skills and public service opportunities for Latinos in the public policy space."

One watchdog group, however, said the situation "looks like the D.C. swamp in action."

"The TikTok lobbyist is on the board of the institute with several members of Congress, while TikTok’s parent company made a big donation," Pete McGinnis, a spokesman for the Functional Government Initiative, told the Washington Examiner. "Now, one of the institute’s advisory board members is defending the company in Congress against bipartisan scrutiny. All this raises concerns, but sadly it seems like another example of the dysfunctional way D.C. operates."

Still, not all institute board members are pro-TikTok.

Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, said in mid-February that he would vote in favor of a national app ban. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), another board member, pressed TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew during a late-March House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing — asking if the company would be ready to divest from ByteDance and its CCP ties if the Treasury Department demanded it to do so.

Chew pushed back on the idea of divestment, noting he does not think "ownership is the issue here."

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and Ocasio-Cortez's office did not reply to requests for comment.

AOC hit with ethics complaint over allegations she defamed Libs of TikTok creator

Cami Mondeaux

March 30, 03:16 PM March 30, 03:16 PM

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing an ethics complaint due to accusations the firebrand Democrat defamed the creator of the popular Libs of TikTok Twitter account during a House Oversight hearing last month.

The conservative Heritage Foundation filed the complaint earlier this week, requesting an investigation into Ocasio-Cortez for “falsely accusing” TikTok creator Chaya Raichik of “lying and disseminating disinformation.” The complaint centers on a question Ocasio-Cortez asked during the Oversight Committee’s first hearing on the Twitter suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story that featured testimony from several of the social media platform’s executives.

AOC’S MET GALA DRAMA EXPLAINED

“Are you aware that, from Aug. 11 to Aug. 16, [the Libs of TikTok] account posted false information about Boston Children’s Hospital claiming that they were providing hysterectomies to children?” Ocasio-Cortez asked Yoel Roth, the former head of trust and safety at Twitter.

“Yes, I am aware of that,” Roth replied.

Ocasio-Cortez was referring to a tweet from the Libs of TikTok account featuring a video of Dr. Frances Grimstad of the Boston Children’s Hospital touting the healthcare facility’s “gender-affirming hysterectomy” and “ovary removal” procedures.

The complaint from the Heritage Foundation cites information from the hospital’s website that shows the medical center offering “gender affirmation surgery services to eligible adolescents and young adults who are ready to take this step in their journey.” Going further, the group included a study from the Journal of Clinical Medicine that states the Boston Children’s Hospital “performed 65 double-mastectomies on minors over the course of three years,” according to the complaint.

“Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s accusation that the tweet contained false information is itself outrightly false on its face,” the complaint states. “Surely Rep. Ocasio-Cortez watched the video herself before using it in her line of questioning, so she knew — at a minimum — that Ms. Raichik’s statement in her tweet was supported by the attached video, and she knew that Boston Children’s Hospital actually did tout its ‘gender affirming hysterectomies.’ Rep. Ocasio-Cortez knowingly made this allegation in bad faith.”

The complaint also accused Ocasio-Cortez of blaming Raichik for encouraging “threats and harassment” toward the Boston Children’s Hospital staff and inciting violence against members of the LGBT community.

As a result, the Heritage Foundation is pressing the Office of Congressional Ethics to open an investigation into Ocasio-Cortez’s comments, accusing the congresswoman of “knowingly and intentionally” accusing Raichik of lying and therefore committing defamation.

If found to be guilty, the group requests the OCE to reprimand Ocasio-Cortez, remove the accusation from the congressional record, and encourage the Democratic lawmaker to either apologize for her accusations or publicly clarify her comments.

It’s unclear whether the OCE will open an investigation into the matter, and the office has not yet responded to a request for comment by the Washington Examiner. A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez has also not responded to a request for comment.

AOC cries 'fascism' as Republicans advance parents bill of rights

Jeremiah Poff

March 23, 05:04 PM March 23, 05:04 PM

House Democrats took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday to denounce a GOP bill on parental rights, saying the bill was fascist and would lead to book bans.

In a series of floor speeches on Thursday afternoon, House Democrats accused their Republican colleagues of wanting to ban books and prevent children from learning about the holocaust and gay and transgender issues as the House began a heated floor debate on HR 5, the Parents Bill of Rights.

BIDEN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SUED FOR DELAY OF PARENTAL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION IN NEW JERSEY

The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), would require all public school districts to disclose their curriculum materials to parents, mandate parental consent for participation in student surveys, and prohibit schools from selling student information "for commercial or financial gain." The legislation is one of the top priorities of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and was introduced as HR 5 to commemorate the age of students when they begin kindergarten.

"Extreme MAGA Republicans don't want the children of America to learn about the Holocaust," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said on the House floor. "They want to ban a book called Melissa, a book describing in very personal terms the experience of a trans girl beginning to understand her identity ... What's so offensive about Melissa?... Extreme MAGA Republicans don't want your child to learn about the LGBTQ+ experience in America. That's not a decision that extreme MAGA Republicans here in Congress should make."

Liberal firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) likewise blasted Republicans, saying that people wanted the party to "keep culture wars out of classrooms."

"Our children need urgent and aggressive educational solutions," the congresswoman said. "When we talk about progressive values, I can say what my progressive value is, and that is freedom over fascism."

The House is set to begin voting on a number of amendments on Thursday evening. Final passage of the bill is expected on Friday.

AOC was warned against accepting Met Gala invite, emails show

Ryan King

March 06, 10:25 AM March 06, 10:25 AM

An anti-corruption lawyer warned Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-NY) staff against accepting an invite from Vogue to attend the Met Gala, emails show.

The lawyer warned that Vogue's parent company, Advance Media Publications, was a registered lobbyist and appeared to suggest that she could attend the gala if she had an invite from event organizers. Ocasio-Cortez and her boyfriend accepted the tickets to the gala.

AOC'S MET GALA DRAMA EXPLAINED

"The Congresswoman could accept an invitation from [the Met], but not from Vogue," the lawyer wrote, according to documents released by the Congressional Ethics Committee. "Since Advance Publications is a registered lobbyist, we'll need to be extra careful!"

Ocasio-Cortez's outing at the Met Gala in 2021 sparked widespread attention. She donned a dress reading"Tax the Rich" at the event, which is an annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City.

A slew of watchdog groups filed complaints after revelations emerged that she and her boyfriend, with whom she has since become engaged, scored tickets that cost $35,000 apiece. There were also questions about Ocasio-Cortez's "borrowed" dress, her sitting at a sponsored table possibly valued up to $300,000, and having a limousine ride.

Documents from the Congressional Ethics Committee trove clarified that the invitation information Ocasio-Cortez and her boyfriend received showed they were “guests of Vogue.” Following her outing, a Vogue staffer contacted Ocasio-Cortez's team and suggested they describe her as a guest of Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief.

“Hope the [C]ongresswoman had a great time last night! … [W]e have had a number of inquiries ... Mainly from Page Six ... Given that she was a guest of [V]ogue, we were planning to say ... she was a guest of Anna [Wintour]’s. ... wanted to check with you,” the email said, as reported by the New York Post.

Last week, the Ethics Committee revealed that it is investigating the matter and released a report from the Office of Congressional Ethics on the debacle. The report outlined a series of allegedly delayed and discounted reimbursements from Ocasio-Cortez for makeup, hair, transportation, hotel costs, and more.

For instance, her designer dress rental was priced at $1,300, but her staff negotiated the price down to $300.

"The Committee notes that the mere fact of conducting further review of a referral, and any mandatory disclosure of such further review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee," it said in a statement.

OCE relegated the matter to the Congressional Ethics Committee last year. Ocasio-Cortez has shrugged off the ethics scrutiny and maintained that the matter will likely be dropped.

“While regrettable, these delayed payments definitively do not rise to the level of a violation of House Rules," spokespeople for Ocasio-Cortez told the Washington Examiner. "Even after OCE’s exhaustive review of the congresswoman’s personal communications, there is no record of the congresswoman refusing to pay for these expenses.”

Inside AOC's Met Gala saga that led to ethics office saying she may have violated federal law

Cami Mondeaux

March 03, 09:01 AM March 03, 09:01 AM

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has come under renewed scrutiny over her attendance at the Met Gala in 2021, resulting in an ethics complaint that accuses her of possibly violating federal law.

The House Ethics Committee announced on Thursday it would be extending its investigation into Ocasio-Cortez’s conduct at the event after the Office of Congressional Ethics revealed it had found "substantial reason to believe that she accepted impermissible gifts." If found to be true, the New York congresswoman would be in violation of House rules and possibly federal law, according to the report.

AOC MAY HAVE VIOLATED LAW WITH MET GALA APPEARANCE, HOUSE ETHICS OFFICE SAYS

Here’s a breakdown of the allegations Ocasio-Cortez faces and how she has responded to the widespread scrutiny.

AOC dons ‘Tax the Rich’ dress at 2021 Met Gala

Ocasio-Cortez first attracted widespread criticism after attending the Met Gala in 2021 while donning a white dress with the words “Tax the Rich” written in red on the back.

However, the New York Democrat came under increased scrutiny after vendors voiced complaints that her office had not made the necessary payments for Ocasio-Cortez’s hair, makeup, and wardrobe services, which amounted to thousands of dollars. The OCE later opened an inquiry into the matter in December, although the office did not disclose the parameters of the investigation at the time.

Ocasio-Cortez has since paid for the outstanding costs for her attire and services for the Met Gala event, but those payments only came after the New York congresswoman was notified officials would be reviewing her conduct, according to a report from the OCE.

Delayed payments could qualify as ‘impermissible gifts,’ posing violation

Although Ocasio-Cortez eventually made the required payments, the OCE referred the matter to the House Ethics Committee for an investigation in June. Acting ranking member Susan Wild (D-PA) decided to take up the matter in December.

House rules bar members from accepting gifts that have “monetary value,” including items that are categorized as “gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, [or] forbearance.”

Because Ocasio-Cortez delayed payments for her dress and accessories, which she rented for the event, as well as her hair and makeup services, conservative watchdog groups are pressing House lawmakers to investigate whether that amounts to “impermissible gifts.”

“Despite various efforts to address compliance concerns in advance of the Met Gala through counsel, and despite representations to the Committee regarding compliance with House rules, it appears several thousands of dollars’ worth of services may have remained unpaid absent the OCE initiating this review,” OCE wrote in its report.

AOC defends conduct, says she’s confident matter will be dropped

Ocasio-Cortez responded to the criticism, acknowledging that the payments were delayed despite the congresswoman taking “several steps to ensure nothing of this nature will happen again.” However, the oversight does not amount to a violation of House rules, her office said.

“While regrettable, these delayed payments definitively do not rise to the level of a violation of House Rules," spokespeople for Ocasio-Cortez told the Washington Examiner. "Even after OCE’s exhaustive review of the congresswoman’s personal communications, there is no record of the congresswoman refusing to pay for these expenses.”

Ocasio-Cortez ultimately made the necessary payments, handling the expenses with her “own personal funds,” according to her office. The congresswoman has also expressed confidence the matter would be dismissed without charges.

Twitter explodes as Musk's poll tops 12 million, favoring Trump's return

Ryan King

November 19, 01:31 PM November 19, 01:32 PM

Former President Donald Trump may be on his way out of the Twitter doghouse as favor for his return to the platform is leading the self-proclaimed Chief Twit's poll on whether he should be reinstated.

As of Saturday afternoon, over 12 million users chimed in, backing Trump's return by roughly 52.3% to 47.7% with seven hours left for voting. Twitter CEO Elon Musk tweeted the poll after stating a decision on Trump's suspension had not been made. The move proved divisive among many of its most prominent users.

MUSK SAYS TWITTER WILL PROMOTE FREE SPEECH BUT LIMIT SPREAD OF HATEFUL LANGUAGE

"Vox Populi, Vox Dei," the billionaire tycoon tweeted, using the Latin phrase meaning “the voice of the people is the voice of God."

"Fascinating to watch Twitter Trump poll," Musk later wrote.

Trump had been permanently booted off the platform during the fallout from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and had been similarly suspended from Facebook as well. Detractors were quick to highlight the potential pitfalls of uncaging Trump's Twitter account, while supporters were giddy or disgruntled with Musk being indecisive on the matter.

"Idk man, last time he was here this platform was used to incite an insurrection, multiple people died, the Vice President of the United States was nearly assassinated, and hundreds were injured but I guess that’s not enough for you to answer the question. Twitter poll it is," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted.

"Elon Musk is holding a poll on whether to bring Trump back to twitter prior to cleaning up what he claimed was a widespread bot/automation problem on Twitter. Makes sense he would do this prior to fixing the problem he claimed existed," Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko tweeted.

Others felt that Trump's ban from the social media platform was "inconsistent" with how the website treats other political officials' accounts.

"I don’t like permanent bans at all. But specific to Donald Trump, his ban is inconsistent with the treatment of other political figures in the United States and around the world. There are authoritarian regimes with active Twitter accounts. Create a clear standard and follow it," former Rep. Justin Amash, a speaker of the House contender, tweeted.

Musk previously said earlier this year he would "reverse" the ban on Trump's account when billing himself as a "free speech absolutist."

“I would reverse the permanent ban,” Musk declared earlier this year, per CNBC. “I don’t own Twitter yet. So this is not like a thing that will definitely happen, because what if I don’t own Twitter?”

Musk has since appeared to waver after taking the reins of the social media behemoth. Last month, he unveiled plans to form a "content moderation council" and stressed that "no major content decisions or account reinstatement" will take place before it convenes.

Then, on Friday, the space and electric car guru posted the poll after freeing the Babylon Bee, Jordan Peterson, and Kathy Griffin from Twitter jail. He also told a user, "No," when asked about restoring conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account.

Trump, once one of Twitter's most prolific users, has indicated he won't return to the platform, even if he was allowed to do so. Instead, he has turned to his own social media platform, Truth Social. He launched his 2024 campaign Tuesday.

Musk's $44 billion takeover has been turbulent for Twitter as he steers the company through mass layoffs and demands his workers to go "hardcore." Earlier this week, many users speculated the platform could soon fall by the wayside amid an exodus of engineers.

Elon Musk continues Twitter feud with AOC by saying not everything she says is 'accurate'

Jenny Goldsberry

November 05, 08:54 PM November 05, 08:54 PM

Twitter CEO Elon Musk doubled down in his online spat with Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) taking a shot at her credibility Saturday.

AOC has claimed that ever since the two clashed over Musk's proposal to charge $8 for verification status, which AOC's account currently has, her account hasn't worked properly. The representative suggested her notifications stopped working after she got "under a certain billionaire's skin" following their spat.

"This is what my app has looked like ever since my tweet upset you yesterday," AOC tweeted along with a screenshot of the app. "What’s good? Doesn’t seem very free speechy to me."

JACK DORSEY APOLOGIZES FOR ELON MUSK MESS AT TWITTER

Her tweet got the attention of actor Mark Ruffalo, who responded to the tweet with a call to the newly-minted CEO.

"Elon. Please—for the love of decency—get off Twitter, hand the keys over to someone who does this as an actual job, and get on with running Tesla and SpaceX," Ruffalo wrote. "You are destroying your credibility. It’s just not a good look."

"Hot take: not everything AOC says is [100 percent] accurate," Musk responded.

"Maybe so. That’s why having robust filters for dis/misinformation & credible verified users has been a popular feature for people & advertisers alike," Ruffalo responded, referring to the advertisers who have paused their ads across the platform "We need those safeguards to make sure it’s accurate information, or the app loses credibility, as do you. And people leave."

Some celebrities have left Twitter over its change in ownership, including former wrestler Mick Foley, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, executive producer of the television series This is Us Ken Olin, actor Alex Winter, and most recently, screenwriter Shonda Rhimes.

However a new feature of the platform, called "Community Notes," adds some context to the tweets after they are posted. Readers can now upload links for the platform's approval to fact-check tweets and provide accurate information. The White House, President Joe Biden, and Musk himself have already received community notes on their tweets.

Musk recently changed his Twitter bio to "Twitter Complaint Hotline Operator."

WATCH: AOC appears to break after merciless heckling at town hall

Luke Gentile

October 20, 11:35 AM October 20, 11:35 AM

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) appeared to break Wednesday after she was mercilessly heckled at a town hall.

Ocasio-Cortez was listening to constituents at an event located in the borough of Queens in New York when protesters began to belittle and verbally beat down the outspoken "Squad" member.

MOTHER IN NEW YORK ARRESTED AFTER LETTING YOUNG SON GET TATTOO: POLICE

"AOC has got to go," the hecklers chanted.

They also yelled at the 33-year-old congresswoman, calling her "disgraceful" and a "sellout."

At one point, Ocasio-Cortez danced to the beat of the chants.

The lights then went out at the town hall, and she briefly exited the room.

When she returned, she was greeted with a wave of profanity that brought out Ocasio-Cortez's strong accent.

"All right, all right, listen, all right, listen, listen, OK," she yelled at the crowd with her hands in the air.

This is the second time in the same number of weeks that one of Ocasio-Cortez's town halls has been disrupted by protesters upset with the congresswoman's overtly leftist positions and total agreement with House Democrats.