American politicians and their obsession with TikTok, a new anti-gentrification ordinance, and Trump’s final run
plus, a new, drama filled reality show
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s your newsletter team – Lauren, Emily, Audrey, Ellie, Ella, Kiki and Noёl. We’ve got a good one for you today.
To start, we have an analysis about the contradicting views and usage of TikTok by American politicians – especially those running for president. Then, we have information on DePaul’s new SPARK center, the end of the ShotSpotter contract and deadly airstrikes from Israel against Hezbollah. To wrap up, we have a recommendation for the latest Hulu reality show. Oh, and we also have a new episode of The B-Side.
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With that, let’s get to it!
TikTok is Just Too Good for Presidents to Ignore
By Emily Diaz
Former President Donald Trump laid down an iron fist in his quest toward banning TikTok just four years ago. Since 2020, the app – owned by the Chinese company ByteDance – has had to defend itself against concerns that it poses cybersecurity risks for American users. Trump gave an ultimatum requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American company in order to prevent a national ban, but the executive order was never finalized.
Fast forward to 2024 and paradoxes are rampant. President Joe Biden signed a law in April of this year with provisions that could push TikTok closer to a national ban while Trump is now opposed to a ban. Though he believes it still poses a security risk, he believes banning it will give more power to Facebook, which he deems is “an enemy of the people.”
Though Biden’s prohibition of TikTok on government devices from 2023 is still in place, it isn’t stopping him, Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris from mobilizing their political campaigns on the app. It could even be argued that TikTok is the epicenter of Harris’ campaign, as she has capitalized on popular memes, audio clips and trending slang to encourage young Americans to vote for her.
After Harris took Biden’s place as the new democratic candidate for presidency, she launched a social media campaign called “Kamala HQ,” which has millions of followers across Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Going viral under the “brat,” “coconut tree,” and “ femininomenon” memes, Harris’ online campaign – largely led by Gen-Z – is a testament to how deeply entrenched TikTok has become in American politics.
Trump is also appealing to younger voters via collaborations with influencers like Logan Paul on his TikTok account, which boasts over 11 million followers. Both candidates often highlight their philanthropy and engagement with local community members, as well.
Last week, TikTok defended itself again in front of the U.S. Court of Appeals, arguing they have been unfairly targeted and that a national ban on the app breaches First Amendment rights. Axios reported that TikTok and the The Justice Department asked for a final decision regarding the constitutionality of shutting down the app or forcing ByteDance to sell the app in order to keep it legal in the U.S. by December of this year.
Though concerns regarding Chinese influence over media in America are still ongoing, they appear to have been brushed under the rug for the purposes of this year’s election. While Trump and Harris are gaining millions of followers and likes, political figures like the Department of Justice Lawyer Daniel Tenny theorize China could use TikTok to spread “pro-China videos, or to try to turn Americans against the U.S.” in a hypothetical war.
No other social media app has made politicians embrace social media as much as TikTok has. It’s proven itself to be a legitimate and successful strategic catalyst for comprehensible education and news, drawing in a population of people historically less likely to vote.
Now that the election is coming to a close in two months, the necessity of TikTok for Trump and Harris comes into question. The amorphous nature of TikTok’s permanence will come to a head once either of the candidates is elected, revealing whether the app will still serve a political purpose or if it was always meant to be a temporary catalyst to be elected. Even more ominous is whether there will be opposition between the future president and higher courts regarding TikTok’s home in the U.S.
The B-Side: How DePaul’s Mental Health Services Are Not Meeting Students’ Needs
Produced by Audrey Leib
14 East alum Alexandra Murphy investigates DePaul’s mental-health services. She finds that many are left feeling dissatisfied with the quality of care DePaul has to offer. But is it a DePaul-specific problem? Listen on Spotify or Substack.
Story by Alexandra Murphy
Produced and Narrated by Audrey Leib
Music by Andrew Vucsko-Cameron
DePaul News
By Ellie Shelton
SPARK Center Fosters Collaboration Between Disciplines – The SPARK center located on DePaul’s Loop campus has opened to the public. The center – short for Strategic Partnerships for the Advancement of Research and Knowledge – is an initiative of Designing DePaul aiming to level up communities with the help of cutting-edge technology and DePaul’s expert faculty. DePaul Newsline has more.
DePaul’s “Faith Unfiltered” Event Series Fosters Connection – “Faith Unfiltered,” a new series of events planned by DePaul’s Department of Catholic Studies, provides DePaul community members a monthly opportunity to share stories of resilience with speakers and fellow audience members. During each meeting, a guest speaker is asked to share their story of resilience with audience participation to follow. Jade Walker at DePaul Newsline has more.
DePaul Hosts Dialogue Collaborative’s First Event – Seven faculty and staff members gathered at the Lincoln Park Student Center on Sept. 18 to explore the concept of dialogue in classrooms. The recently launched Dialogue Collaborative hosted the event with the aim of elevating dialogue in the classroom and university. Mary Hansen at DePaul Newsline has more.
Chicago Headlines
By Ella McCoy
Anti-Gentrification Ordinance put in place to protect Northwest Side housing — The Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance was overwhelmingly approved last Wednesday. This ordinance will protect Hermosa, Logan Square, Avondale, West Town and Humboldt Park from any further gentrification efforts so that longtime residents will be able to afford to stay in their homes. This ordinance seeks to protect two-, three- and four-flat apartments from being turned into single family homes, which displaces longtime residents. The Housing Preservation Ordinance also gives tenants the right of refusal, which means they have the first opportunity to buy their building when it goes on sale. This new legislation will likely go into effect in early October. Ariel Parrella-Aureli and Melody Mercado from Block Club Chicago have more.
Chicago Police Department’s Contract with Shotspotter Ends — Chicago Police are no longer using ShotSpotter technology as of this morning. The city’s contract with ShotSpotter ended overnight and today is the first day in six years that the city of Chicago goes without the gunshot detection technology. Although aldermen overwhelmingly voted to keep the technology last week, Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed their decision. “The ultimate goal is to deploy resources on the most effective strategies and tactics proven to accelerate the current downward trend in violent crime,” Johnson said. “We have to explore better options that save more lives.” Stephanie Wade and Craig Wall with ABC 7 Chicago has more.
Former Ald. Ed Burke Reports to Prison — Former Ald. Ed Burke – Chicago’s longest serving alderman – is expected to report to federal prison today. He faces a two-year sentence along with a $2 million dollar fine after being convicted of corruption for using his position as alderman to benefit his law firm. Prosecutors alleged that Burke pressured the owners of a Burger King in his ward to hire his firm in exchange for the construction permits that the owners needed in order to renovate their restaurant. Additionally, prosecutors also claimed that Burke shook down developers renovating the Old Post Office. The centerpiece of the case, though, was over 100 secret recordings captured by ex-alderman turned FBI mole, Daniel Solis, discussing the schemes. Judy Wang, Angelica Sanchez and Marisa Rodriguez from WGN 9 Chicago have more.
Lincoln Park ZooLights Introduces a New Attraction for 2024 — The dates for one of Chicago’s most beloved holiday traditions have been announced along with a new attraction. Lincoln Park’s ZooLights will make its 30th annual debut on Nov. 15th featuring immersive holiday experiences, the event will showcase over three million lights across zoo grounds, according to an announcement. New to the event this year, the “Light Lounge” at the foreman pavilion will provide a space for families to “rest and recharge,” and a section that is “adults only” with special food and drinks. ZooLights has a number of free admission days, but tickets are still required. Free admission days will be offered on the following Mondays: Nov. 18 and 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 30. On all other days, tickets start at $7 per person. ZooLights runs from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. NBC Chicago has more information.
Scientists Analyze Data from Chicago Weather Balloons — A team led by Argonne National Laboratory scientists launched weather balloons from four Chicago locations on a hot summer day in hopes that the balloons would make it at least 12 miles above the city. These scientists launched the balloons so that they might capture a substantial vertical profile of Chicago’s atmosphere, so that they might understand why extreme heat has become the summer norm in Chicago. With this data, scientists seek to build a more climate-resilient city and to understand how extreme heat disproportionately affects some communities within the city. WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco has more.
National Headlines
By Kiki Dyball
Israel launches deadly airstrikes against Hezbollah– Israel intensified strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon on Monday after their heaviest exchange of fire since the war in Gaza began. At least 492 people have been killed and over 1,645 others were injured in southern and eastern Lebanon, the country’s health ministry said. Israel has warned civilians to leave Hezbollah areas in preparation for precise strikes. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu is considering a plan to force Palestinians out of northern Gaza to pressure Hamas and free hostages. Melanie Lidman, Bassem Mroue and Bassam Hatoum at AP have more information.
Trump says he doesn't see himself running again in 2028 if he is unsuccessful in November – In an interview with Sharyl Attkisson of Sinclair Media Group, former President Donald Trump was asked if he would run again if he lost to Vice President Kamala Harris. "No, I don't. I think... that will be it," he said, but added, "hopefully, we're gonna be very successful." Trump, the oldest presidential nominee after Biden's withdrawal this summer, would be 82 in 2028 if he wins a second term, surpassing Biden's current age. Rachel Treisman from NPR has more information.
At least four killed and 17 injured in Birmingham shooting – Multiple shooters opened fire Saturday night in Birmingham, Alabama, in what police described as a targeted "hit" that also struck bystanders. More than 100 shell casings were found at Five Points South, a busy area near the University of Alabama Birmingham. No suspects are in custody and police are working with the FBI to gather information. Michelle Watson, Paradise Afshar and Lauren Mascarenhas from CNN have more information.
Man accused in assassination attempt left note indicating he intended to kill Trump – The man charged in an apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Florida left a box at an unidentified person’s home containing a letter that read, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,” according to a court document revealed Monday. The note surfaced in a U.S. District Court filing seeking to hold Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, in pre-trial detention. Glenn Thrush, Patricia Mazzei and Adam Goldman at the NYT have more information.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Special Guest Noёl Bentley
What's better than some good old-fashioned brain-rot television? Answer: nothing! “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” was released on Hulu Sept. 6, 2024, and by Sept. 8, the show surpassed “The Kardashians” as the most-watched show on Hulu.
The show follows eight Utah Mormon mothers supporting, loving and creating content together on #MomTok, a ‘group’ on TikTok. Taylor Frankie Paul, Macyi Neeley, Demi Engemann, Jen Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Mikayla Matthews, Layla Taylor and Whitney Leavitt make up the group.
The #MomTok group became popular during the pandemic and was a constant trending hashtag on TikTok in 2020-2022. The main Momtok-er and the ‘creator’ of MomTok Taylor Frankie Paul was involved in the scandal and was the one who exposed the swinging group one day while live-streaming. In 2022, the MomTok group imploded due to a ‘soft-swinging’ scandal that tore apart multiple marriages, Paul’s being one.
This scandal is what inspired the show. Not only did Taylor break Mormon tradition by getting a divorce, but we later found out that she is pregnant, out of wedlock, with her boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
While the only person involved in the ‘soft-swinging’ scandal was Taylor Frankie Paul, the other mothers of the group brought their own personal baggage.
Jen Affleck has marriage troubles; her husband Zac was shown to be extremely narcissistic, uncaring, and controlling by Telling Jen over and over again that he does not care about the MomTok group or Jens's feelings on the matter. Now, Jen is carrying a large burden for her family of four, being the breadwinner due to Zac's gambling problem and gambling away the money his parents gave him to attend medical school. The show gives us a sneak peek into the ways he emotionally beats down Jen for doing what she has to do to make money. Zac uses religion to make Jen feel bad about their source of income: MomTok.
While Jen’s husband is the male villain of the show; Whitney Leavitt showcased herself as the ultimate mean girl. She has the media comparing her to Regina George. After forgiving her husband for his infidelity, she took out her marriage frustrations on the group, spreading gossip and attempting to pin girls against each other. Throughout the show, she attempts to play victim to situations she created and sheds crocodile tears when called out by members of the group such as Demi and Jessi.
With all the scandals, lies and manipulation, the main question on everyone's mind is… Will MomTok survive this? And if so… will Whitney and Jen be a part of it?
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team