The Biden administration has asked TikTok stars to publish content blaming Vladimir Putin for the rising gas prices in the United States.
QUICK FACTS:
- White House officials and social media influencers recorded a phone call to coordinate scheduling content blaming the Russian invasion for skyrocketing gas prices.
- “Why is gas so expensive, and why is the United States inflation rate at a four-time decade high?” 18-year-old TikTok star Ellie Zeiler said in a video. “I had the opportunity to ask the White House why gas down the street is $7 and here’s what they said.”
- Zeiler argued that COVID is still a major factor in high gas prices, stating that due to people traveling again the demand has gone up.
- However the predominant reason, she said, was Ukraine and Russia. “Russia is one of the top three producers of oil and it is actually their No. 1 revenue source. Now, with Putin starting this horrific fight between Ukraine and Russia, nobody wants to work with him and do international trade.”
AUTHOR GIANNO CALDWELL ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION:
“They really and truly believe we are all idiots. Sad. White House drafts TikTok stars to blame Putin for rising gas prices.”
BACKGROUND:
- Critics took to Twitter to comment on Biden’s move to turn to social media influencers using their platform to reach young people in the country.
- “A shame the Biden Adm has hired tictok influencers to try and lay blame for the economy on everyone but who is running it,” one user tweeted. “Trying to make young kids not see who is really to blame.”
- In late Oct. 2021, the President blamed OPEC for higher oil prices and inflation instead of reckless spending done by the current administration.
- “The Biden White House has been engaged in propaganda to lie to the American people and this is just one example. The other would be every time Jen Psaki opens her mouth. #BidenBlameGame #Bidenomics #BidenPriceHike #BidenGasHike #NotMyPresident,” another said.
