Special Poll
- Minnesota Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz made his debut on TikTok on Friday, following the social media success of his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris.
- The Harris campaign has fully embraced TikTok and social media, using memes and jokes to connect with younger voters as the election approaches.
- Walz, who has gained some attention with his relatable “Midwestern dad” vibe and posts featuring his dog, has now joined TikTok as well.
- In his first video, Walz, 60, appeared with his dog Scout at a dog park along the Mississippi River, calling the post a “TimTok.”
- Walz kept it casual in a hat and T-shirt, although he didn’t wear the camo Harris-Walz cap that’s become part of their campaign merchandise. His TikTok account description highlights his roles as “Dad, coach, veteran, MN Governor,” and his commitment to winning the election with Harris.
- Hannah Flom, Walz’s digital director, emphasized that their campaign is focused on directly engaging voters, especially on platforms like TikTok where many potential voters spend time. She described Walz as a teacher, coach, veteran, and father, dedicated to working alongside VP Harris to improve Americans’ lives.
- Despite the campaign’s embrace of TikTok, there are concerns about the app’s ties to China. The U.S. government has suggested that these connections could pose a national security threat.
- In response, President Biden signed a bill in April requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company to either sell its U.S. operations or face a possible nationwide ban. However, the Harris campaign has expressed that they don’t want the app banned, but would prefer a change in ownership to address these concerns.