U.S. lawmakers faced backlash this week after Singaporean TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew endured racially charged questioning during a congressional hearing on child safety. While Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and other tech execs faced scrutiny, Chew was singled out with unrelated queries about his nationality and alleged ties to the Communist Party of China (CPC). 😡
Republican Senator Tom Cotton repeatedly pressed Chew about his Singaporean passport, asking, 'Have you ever been affiliated with the CPC?' The interrogation went viral, with critics calling it 'McCarthyesque'—a nod to America’s history of baseless political persecution. Social media users roasted Cotton, with one commenter saying, 'This isn’t about safety—it’s about xenophobia.'
Singaporeans also slammed Cotton’s remarks as 'ignorant,' while Asian American advocacy groups accused him of 'racist grandstanding.' Analysts like CGTN’s Masuda Khatun argue the incident reflects systemic anti-Asian bias in U.S. politics. 'The hearing exposed how racism shapes policy,' she wrote. 🇸🇬✊
Chew, who’s faced similar grillings before, calmly reiterated his Singaporean identity. But the hearing’s focus on his background—not TikTok’s policies—left many wondering: Is this about protecting kids, or perpetuating stereotypes? 🤔
