Gavin Newsom accuses TikTok of suppressing Trump-critical content

California Governor Gavin Newsom mentioned he is initiating a review to determine if TikTok, under its new management, has been limiting content that criticises US President Donald Trump.

Newsom shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, “It’s necessary to explore this matter. I am starting an investigation into whether TikTok is breaking state law by curbing Trump-critical content.”

His representative verified the review. His press office stated that following “TikTok’s transfer to a group aligned with Trump, our office has received reports — and independently verified instances — of content critical of President Trump being limited.”

Over the weekend, TikTok users expressed concerns that the platform was restricting videos regarding the incident involving Alex Pretti's shooting by a federal agent in Minneapolis. 

TikTok’s new US managers claimed a power outage occurred at one of its US data centres.

In the past week, the social media company announced a joint venture to form an American entity. 

This move follows the enactment of a law by Congress requiring China’s ByteDance to relinquish TikTok ownership or face the removal of the app from US stores.

For years, Republicans have alleged that social media platforms have diminished conservative viewpoints, skeptical of the Democratic inclinations of some tech leaders in Silicon Valley and their staff. 

Yet, Oracle’s Larry Ellison is known as a long-time Trump backer, while X’s owner is Elon Musk, who had a role in the administration last year.