Rand Paul Calls Out Fox Host for ‘Lying’ About TikTok Ban – The Daily Beast
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) clashed with Fox News co-host Brian Kilmeade on Thursday morning over Congress recent push to effectively ban TikTok from the United States. In the tense exchange, Paul repeatedly accused Kilmeade of lying about the Chinese Communist Party owning the social media platform.
The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday that would prohibit TikTok from American app stores unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests from the short-form video site. Claiming that China controls ByteDance, lawmakers who support the legislation argue that TikTok poses a national security threat because the Chinese government could use it for foreign intelligence purposes.
Although the measure sailed through the House by an overwhelmingly bipartisan 352-65 vote, its passage in the Senate is uncertain, with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) remaining uncommitted to the next steps in the chamber. Young progressives are pressuring Democrats to oppose the ban, while Republicans have been placed in a tough spot as former President Donald Trump recently reversed course on his anti-TikTok position.
Yet despite Trumps sudden about-face on TikTok, many at Fox News have held their ground and continued to paint the social media platform as an existential threat to American security. The libertarian-leaning Paul, on the other hand, has maintained that the proposed ban makes no sense whatsoever and even takes a page from Chinas own authoritarian government.
So it was all but given that Thursday mornings Fox & Friends interview would be contentious. And the two combatants did not disappoint.
From the start, Kilmeade wondered why the Kentucky senator believed that TikTok is not a danger to America, prompting Paul to respond that it isnt a question of whether the allegations are true or false but rather why the government wants to take someones property in our country without a conviction.
Pointing out that previous attempts by Trump and others to ban TikTok have been ruled unconstitutional, Paul noted that the House legislation is a slippery slope that could soon be used against Kilmeades own employer.
Theres a real danger, for example, for Fox News. I dont know, maybe you have some foreign owners, he said. I dont know if everybody is an American citizen. And then what if they say Fox News is giving misinformation on the election? You have a foreign ownership. You have misinformation, according to the government.
Paul added: All of a sudden, they say we are going to shut down Fox News, or we are going to shut down Twitter. The bill just isnt about TikTok. It mentions TikTok by name, which is also a problem. Laws are not allowed to target one company. There is also a danger that goes beyond that.
Kilmeade argued that allowing TikTok in the U.S. was akin to China flying 170 million spy balloons over America, adding that the American public needs to ask itself whether they want to give the Chinese government the ability to control access to their data. The Fox News star then wondered if Paul felt there should be a list of nations that shouldnt be allowed to own social media platforms.
Paul, for his part, disputed the notion that ByteDance is even controlled by the Chinese government, pointing out that 20 percent of the company is owned by the two Chinese software engineers who started the business, international investors hold 60 percent, and the companys employees own the remaining 20 percent.
In fact, on TikToks board there are no Chinese nationals that control this or are associated with the government at all. There are CEOs from Singapore, he insisted. So this is an international corporation, and like every other international corporation, they deserve their day in court. You cant just take their property.
The conversation grew increasingly heated as the two sparred over the effectiveness of Project Texas, ByteDances $1.5 billion plan to route all of its American user data to Oracle in an effort to assure the U.S. government that the platform is free from outside influence.
Nobody thinks the Texas Project is up and running and effective, Kilmeade declared.
Well, I do! Paul shot back, only for the Fox host to continue to steamroll over him.
From there, the two battled over whether China actually had a controlling interest in the company, resulting in Paul outright calling the Fox & Friends presenter a liar.
Who owns that company? ByteDance. ByteDance is owned by China, Kilmeade asserted.
No. Its not. See, thats a lie, the senator exclaimed. And you are defaming the company. Sixty percent of it is owned by international investors. Twenty percent is owned by the software developers who are Chinese. And 20 percent is owned by the employees, 7,000 of whom are Americans!
Kilmeade, undeterred, once again argued that China owns ByteDance and, by default, owns TikTiks algorithm, sparking another angry retort from Paul.
You just told a lie, an outraged Paul growled. You cant say something on TV thats a lie about a company. That is an out-and-out lie, and it is provably false!
The pair kept going back and forth until Kilmeade said he had to cut the interview short because he was up against a hard break, but not before they both got some parting shots in.
Youre comfortable with TikTok influencing America, Kilmeade huffed.
Im comfortable with the Constitution. You cannot take peoples property without due process, Paul replied. If you believe theres a national exemption to the Constitution, then you believe that Fox News could be shut down, that Twitter could be shut down. Thats a terrible thing to believe.
Read this article:
Rand Paul Calls Out Fox Host for 'Lying' About TikTok Ban - The Daily Beast
- Fox Newss Kilmeade clashes with Rand Paul over TikToks ownership - The Hill - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Calls Out Fox News Host During Live TV: 'You Just Told a Lie' - Newsweek - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul might stand in the way of House TikTok bill - The Washington Post - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- What Rand Paul Gets Wrong about Congressional Action on TikTok - National Review - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Rand Paul vs. FNC's Kilmeade on TikTok: If You Allow National Security Exceptions To Constitution, Government Can ... - RealClearPolitics - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Rand Paul gets in heated debate over ownership of TikTok parent company ByteDance - Colorado Springs Gazette - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Foxs Kilmeade, Rand Paul Throw Down Over TikTok Ban, China Ownership: You Just Told a Lie, Brian! - Mediaite - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Rand Paul gets in heated debate over ownership of TikTok parent company ByteDance - Washington Examiner - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Breonna Taylor Act to be reintroduced by Rand Paul, Morgan McGarvey - WLKY Louisville - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- 'Out and out lie': Rand Paul spars with Fox & Friends over TikTok ban - Raw Story - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Dr. Paul to Reintroduce Justice for Breonna Taylor Act with Rep. McGarvey Introducing House Version - Senator Rand Paul - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- A look at the bipartisan effort to ban no-knock warrants - Spectrum News 1 - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Who Gives Trump This Awful Advice?: Rand Paul Rips Trump for Endorsing Worst Deep State Candidate This Cycle - Mediaite - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- 'You Just Told A Lie!': Fox Host Spars With Sen. Rand Paul Over China, TikTok - Daily Caller - March 15th, 2024 [March 15th, 2024]
- Why Republican Rand Paul invited Democrat Craig Greenberg to the State of the Union - Courier Journal - March 7th, 2024 [March 7th, 2024]
- Nikki Haley represents a wing of the party that I'm not a big fan of: Sen. Rand Paul - Fox Business - March 7th, 2024 [March 7th, 2024]
- Senate panel advances bill to ban some Chinese biotechs, with Sen. Paul taking up industry's cause - STAT - March 7th, 2024 [March 7th, 2024]
- Rand Paul celebrates Haleys departure from presidential race: Its about time - Washington Examiner - March 7th, 2024 [March 7th, 2024]
- Rand Paul's office moves to stop $23B sale of F-16s to Turkey - Responsible Statecraft - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- ICYMI: Dr. Paul Forces Senate Vote on Amendment to Prevent Government Bailouts of Mismanaged States - Senator Rand Paul - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Mayor Craig Greenberg to attend State of the Union with Sen. Rand Paul - Courier Journal - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Rand Paul comes out swinging against COVID response in speechand - Camarillo Acorn - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- RFK Jr. Wants Rand Paul To Be The Next Republican Leader of the U.S. Senate - NewBostonPost - NewBostonPost - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul seeks to block Biden sale of F-16s to Turkey Public Radio of Armenia - Public Radio of Armenia Official Web site - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Senate to Vote on Dr. Paul's Resolution Rejecting the Sale of U.S. Arms to Hamas Advocate - Senator Rand Paul - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- RFK Jr. Says Rand Paul Would Be 'Incredible Successor' To Mitch McConnell - Daily Caller - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- US Senate Refuses To Halt F-16 Sale To Turkey, GOP's Rand Paul Asks What Will Erdogan Do "Next Time" - News18 - March 2nd, 2024 [March 2nd, 2024]
- Rand Paul was right: Most voters want to protect our border before Ukraines - Washington Examiner - February 25th, 2024 [February 25th, 2024]
- Rand Paul: 'Never, ever let Gavin Newsom anywhere near the White House' - Fox News - February 25th, 2024 [February 25th, 2024]
- Sununu: 'Nobody cares' about Rand Paul's opposition to Haley's WH bid - Business Insider - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul could travel to New Hampshire as part of anti-Nikki Haley crusade - Washington Examiner - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Chris Sununu's anonymity and envy of Rand Paul - Washington Examiner - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Sununu reacts to Never Nikki site: Nobody cares what Rand Paul thinks - The Hill - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul launches Never Nikki website ahead of Iowa caucuses - The Hill - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul teases 2024 election announcement - The Independent - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul teases something very important to say on 2024 race - The Hill - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- #NeverNikki: Rand Paul launches Haley takedown campaign - The Hill - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul wades into GOP primary race with Never Nikki Haley initiative - New York Post - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul starts a new PAC: '#Never Nikki' - Must Read Alaska - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Kentucky US Sen. Rand Paul reintroduces bill aimed at managing $34 trillion national debt - WDRB - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul claims Fauci 'should be in prison' over COVID 'dishonesty' - Washington Examiner - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Senator Rand Paul calls for Dr. Anthony Fauci to be sent to PRISON over 'dishonesty' on how Covid started - Daily Mail - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul wants Fauci to 'go to prison' - WWJ - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul praises Trump, DeSantis, other candidates, announces he's 'never Nikki' Haley - Floridas Voice - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul discusses ongoing negotiations in Congress to strike deal on immigration reform - WDRB - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul Teases Endorsement in 2024 Race - The Messenger - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Sen. Rand Paul Expresses His Disdain For Nikki Haley - WIBC - Indianapolis News & Politics - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul debuts the Never Nikki movement and explains why voters shouldn't support Nikki Haley - Washington Examiner - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Launches Never Nikki Campaign Days Ahead of Iowa, Says Hes Impressed By RFK Jr. And Ramaswamy - Mediaite - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Nobody Cares What Rand Paul Thinks: Republican Governor Responds to Senators Anti-Haley Push - Mediaite - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul says he is 'Never Nikki' in 2024 campaign announcement - Washington Examiner - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Rand Paul Launches 'Never Nikki' Initiative Bashing Nikki Haley's "thirst for war" - The Maine Wire - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Chris Sununu: "Nobody Cares What Rand Paul Thinks," It's A One-On-One Race Between Nikki And Trump - RealClearPolitics - January 16th, 2024 [January 16th, 2024]
- Festivus Airing Of Grievances By Sen. Rand Paul Spotlights Government Waste - Deadline - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- SLIPKNOT, KORN And NICKELBACK Namechecked In RAND PAUL's Report On Wasteful Government Spending - BLABBERMOUTH.NET - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- SLIPKNOT and KORN received millions from U.S. government according to RAND PAUL's "Festivus Report" - Lambgoat - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- 'Festivus' Airing Of Grievances By Sen. Rand Paul Spotlights Government Waste - Yahoo Entertainment - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Rand Paul roasts Trump for trying to remove Obama from ballot over birth certificate claim - Raw Story - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Various Hitmakers, 'Even Nickelback,' Cited in Rand Paul Report as Receiving Millions in Federal Aid - The Messenger - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- NIH's Letter to Wuhan Lab Confirms Rand Paul Was Right and Fauci Was Wrong about Gain-of-Function | Jon Miltimore - Foundation for Economic Education - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Festivus: "900 billion in waste": Rand Paul Festivus report goes viral, exposes bizarre and extravagant government ... - Sportskeeda - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Rand Paul 'Back' With Festivus Rant: From Ramaswamy To Trump - Times Now - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Rand Paul: Why Is the FDA Still Requiring Human or Animal Testing ... - Reason - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- The Surprising Sweetness of the Ayn Rand Fangirl Novel - The New Yorker - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- House Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Medicare Audiology ... - The Hearing Review - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- Congress Divided on the Funding for Ukraine and Israel - Fair Observer - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- There must be a complete ban on TikTok in the U.S. - Stony Brook Statesman - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- Hundreds of national industry leaders converge at Liberty ... - Liberty University - October 15th, 2023 [October 15th, 2023]
- Did U.S. have Israel ambassador at start of Israel-Hamas War? - WisconsinWatch.org - October 15th, 2023 [October 15th, 2023]
- Vivek was unbearable, so his future in GOP is bright - New York Daily News - August 31st, 2023 [August 31st, 2023]
- The DNC Goes Fishing What Will it Catch? - Law Street Media - August 31st, 2023 [August 31st, 2023]
- No, Ohio Is Not in Play - POLITICO - POLITICO - August 31st, 2023 [August 31st, 2023]
- Dr. Rand Paul reintroduces legislation to prevent CDC overreach - Pmg-ky1.com - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Britney Spears, Tommy Tuberville, Rand Paul, and more: IDIOT OF ... - Deadspin - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- How Latino Republicans are building their clout - POLITICO - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Congress should fix the 9/11 health fund for good - Newsday - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- Fauci-Friendly Jeanne Marrazzo Named New Director of NIAID | K ... - The Beacon - August 8th, 2023 [August 8th, 2023]
- With Debt Limit Deal in Hand, McCarthy and Biden Turn to Task of ... - The New York Times - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- Wyoming Senator Lummis Wants Answers From USPS | Big Horn ... - mybighornbasin - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
- Beverly Hills Memorial dedicated on 46th anniversary of fatal fire - Kentucky Today - May 29th, 2023 [May 29th, 2023]
Tags: