Julia Eisen – WMAL News | October 5, 2023
Back in December, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin banned TikTok use from state government devices but now critics say Youngkin has accepted large donations from a donor with ties to the platform’s parent company in China.
The $2 million donation came from billionaire GOP donor, Jeff Yass, who is attempting to help TikTok rally against efforts to ban the app in the United States.
This move is surprising as Youngkin has previously held a harsh stance on the Chinese government.
“‘Made in Virginia’ cannot be a front for the Chinese communist party,” Youngkin said in a state address back in January of this year.
State Democrats are pouncing on the donation optics, while the head of Youngkin’s “Spirit of America” PAC said in a statement that the governor is simply grateful for the support from Virginians and around the country.
WMAL News Correspondent Barbara Britt contributed to this report.
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