Business

DeSantis allies see debate as critical moment for struggling campaign on August 14, 2023 at 10:00 am Business News | The Hill

Published

1 year ago

August 14, 2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) allies are banking on the governor to perform well at the first Republican primary debate of the year later this month as his presidential campaign shows signs of struggling.

Earlier this week, DeSantis’s campaign announced a new campaign manager, which followed news of multiple sets of layoffs. The changes are part of a campaign reset in an effort to boost DeSantis in the polls.

The governor’s supporters maintain it’s still too early in the cycle to be writing his political obituary, but note that the first debate will be a significant test for DeSantis.

“If you’ve got to do a campaign shakeup, this is the time to do it,” said Dan Eberhart, a DeSantis donor. “The debate is really opening day for the presidential primary, in my opinion.”

It’s unclear whether former President Trump, who is dominating the GOP primary field in the polls, will attend the debate. The Real Clear Political polling average shows Trump leading the field with 54.2 percent support, while DeSantis trails at 15.1 percent support. Every other candidate is polling at single digits.

However, DeSantis’s allies expect him to face attacks from the rest of the GOP field gunning for second place.

“In particular, this is going to be the Ron DeSantis show,” said New Hampshire House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R), who has endorsed the governor’s presidential bid. “Every single one of them will be gunning for Gov. DeSantis and he’ll have to pull the pins on those grenades and lob them back as quickly as he can.”

“Hopefully at the end of the day he’ll come away with two or three scalps, if not six or seven,” Osborne added.

ABC News first reported this week on the details surrounding DeSantis’s debate prep, including the fact the governor is working with veteran debate coach Brett O’Donnell and that he’s holding question-and-answer sessions at least once a week.

DeSantis made news this week when he signed the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) loyalty pledge, vowing to support the party’s eventual 2024 nominee. The pledge is a requirement for attending the debate.

Several other GOP candidates have also signed the loyalty pledge, including former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Trump, on the other hand, said he will not sign the pledge and will share whether he plans to attend the debate next week. A source familiar with the governor’s strategy said the campaign thinks of the debate as a win-win situation regardless of whether Trump is on stage, noting that Trump will look weak if he doesn’t attend and voters will be able to see the contrast between the two if he does.

“The seven dwarfs don’t have the stature or the viability or the critical mass to defeat Donald Trump. There’s only one candidate that can do it, and that’s Gov. DeSantis,” Eberhart said. “My gut says that Trump shows because he doesn’t want Gov. DeSantis to come out of the debate with the momentum.”

But Trump has suggested there is virtually no reason for him to show up, noting his mammoth lead in the polls so far.

“It’s not a question of guts. It’s a question of intelligence,” Trump said in an interview with Newsmax earlier this week.

In a statement to The Hill addressing Trump’s unknown status on attending the debate, a spokesperson for the pro-DeSantis PAC Never Back Down asked, “What is Donald Trump afraid of?”

“As Gov. DeSantis has made clear, he is ready to take on anyone and won’t back down debating the issues important to voters,” said Jess Szymanski, a spokesperson for the group. “We’ve seen him work hard day-in and day-out in the early primary states to earn voters’ support and, unlike Donald Trump, doesn’t just expect it.

However, one Republican strategist noted a recent slew of negative headlines about DeSantis has weakened his standing and will only increase the possibility of Trump not showing up.

The strategist pointed to the campaign manager shakeup, as well as recent comments from hotel entrepreneur Robert Bigelow, who has donated to the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, in which he warned he would stop giving money unless the governor adopted a more moderate message.

Eberhart, on the other hand, said the change within the campaign is needed as the 2024 cycle kicks into high gear ahead of the debate.

“I think Gov. DeSantis is wise to make changes, especially when relatively few people are looking, so that he goes into the fall with the campaign team he wants and has it tuned so they can focus on the task ahead,” he said.

DeSantis’s campaign is maintaining that they’re on the upswing as he continues to pursue an all-in-on-Iowa strategy. The governor’s allies say there is an opening for him to break through in Iowa, pointing to a New York Times/Siena College poll showing Trump leading DeSantis 44 percent to 20 percent among likely caucusgoers. That lead is narrower than Trump’s 54 percent to 17 percent lead over DeSantis in the national New York Times/Siena College poll.

On Thursday, DeSantis estimated his campaign would hit all of the state’s 99 counties. And on Friday, DeSantis’s campaign touted Iowa conservative radio host Steve Deace’s endorsement of the Florida governor, noting Deace’s past endorsements of Iowa caucus winners Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz.

The governor and his presidential campaign are also seeking to break through a chaotic political news cycle that seems to be dominated by legal issues facing Trump and Hunter Biden.

Earlier this week, DeSantis raised eyebrows when he told NBC News he believes Trump lost the 2020 election and Joe Biden is the president. Additionally, DeSantis has agreed to take part in a debate against California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Fox News later this year, which is likely to draw attention from both sides of the aisle.

“They simultaneously have a long-term outlook as well as [they] are able to pivot and make the necessary changes in the moment to keep things moving along,” Osborne said.

Business, 2024 Elections Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) allies are banking on the governor to perform well at the first Republican primary debate of the year later this month as his presidential campaign shows signs of struggling. Earlier this week, DeSantis’s campaign announced a new campaign manager, which followed news of multiple sets of layoffs. The changes are…

Business

When TikTok and CapCut Vanished from America

Published

3 weeks ago

January 19, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

In a shocking turn of events, TikTok and CapCut, two of America’s most popular social media and video editing apps, vanished from U.S. app stores and became inaccessible to users on Saturday evening, January 18, 2025. This unprecedented digital blackout affected approximately 170 million American users, leaving them stunned and searching for alternatives.

The Sudden Shutdown

As the clock struck 10:50 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, both TikTok and CapCut disappeared from Apple and Google app stores. Users attempting to access the apps were greeted with a stark message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now”.

The ban wasn’t limited to just TikTok and CapCut. Other ByteDance-owned apps, including Lemon8, Hypic, and Gauth, also became unavailable to U.S. users. This sweeping action effectively cut off access to a suite of popular digital tools that millions had come to rely on for entertainment, content creation, and even business purposes.

The Legal Battle

The shutdown came after a tumultuous legal battle that culminated in a Supreme Court decision upholding a federal law requiring ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok and CapCut, to either sell its U.S. operations or face a ban. The legislation, passed in April 2024, cited national security concerns related to data privacy and potential foreign influence.

Impact on Users and Creators

The sudden disappearance of TikTok and CapCut has left content creators and everyday users in a state of digital limbo. Many relied on these platforms not just for entertainment, but as essential tools for their livelihoods and creative expression. The ban has disrupted a thriving ecosystem of digital content creation, leaving millions to scramble for alternative platforms and editing tools.

Political Implications and Future Uncertainties

As the dust settles, all eyes are on the incoming administration. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20, has hinted at a potential 90-day extension for ByteDance to sell TikTok. This development has injected a new layer of uncertainty into an already complex situation.

What’s Next?

While the apps remain inaccessible, ByteDance and TikTok officials continue to work towards a resolution. TikTok’s message to users ends on a hopeful note, stating, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned”.

As America grapples with this digital void, questions about data privacy, national security, and the future of social media regulation loom large. The TikTok and CapCut ban marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the influence of foreign-owned technology companies in the United States, with far-reaching implications for users, creators, and the tech industry as a whole.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life.

Business

TikTok Ban Drives 216% Rise in U.S. Users Learning Chinese on Duolingo

Published

3 weeks ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Duolingo has reported a remarkable 216% increase in U.S. users learning Mandarin Chinese, coinciding with the impending ban on TikTok, set to take effect on January 19, 2025. This surge is attributed to many TikTok users migrating to a new Chinese social media platform called RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), which defaults to Mandarin as its primary language. As TikTok users seek alternatives amidst concerns over data privacy and app availability, they are turning to RedNote, prompting a cultural exchange that has driven interest in learning Chinese.

The spike in Mandarin learners began around mid-January, aligning with the growing popularity of RedNote among former TikTok users. Duolingo’s marketing team has actively engaged with this trend on social media, humorously acknowledging the phenomenon with posts like “Learning Mandarin out of spite? You’re not alone”.

Additionally, Duolingo has seen a 36% increase in downloads in the U.S., reflecting heightened consumer demand for language learning resources as users adapt to the new social media landscape.

The transition from TikTok to RedNote has not been without challenges, as some users have encountered technical issues during registration and account suspensions.

Nevertheless, this shift underscores a significant demand for social networking experiences that resonate with American users while navigating the complexities of Chinese platforms.

Business

TikTok’s Final Countdown: The Sunday Shutdown

Published

3 weeks ago

January 16, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

As the clock ticks down to January 19, 2025, TikTok users in the United States are bracing for a significant disruption. The app, which boasts approximately 170 million users in the country, faces a potential ban that could render it non-functional by this Sunday. Here’s what you need to know about the impending ban and its implications.

Key Details of the Ban

The anticipated ban comes amid ongoing national security concerns regarding TikTok’s Chinese ownership. Government officials have raised alarms about the possibility of sensitive user data being accessed by Chinese authorities. As a result, the app is expected to be removed from digital app stores, effectively cutting off new downloads and updates.

What Will Happen?

Removal from App Stores: On January 19, TikTok will likely be taken down from platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Existing Users Affected: Current users may find that their app becomes non-functional, losing access to new content creation and updates.
Data Preservation Challenges: Users may face difficulties in preserving their data and content as the deadline approaches.

Recommendations for Users

In light of the impending ban, TikTok users should take proactive steps to safeguard their content and data:

Download Personal Data: Users can access their TikTok settings to download their data before it’s too late.
Export Saved Videos: Save any cherished videos or content that you wish to keep.
Backup Content: Consider backing up your videos on alternative platforms.
Explore Alternatives: As TikTok faces its potential shutdown, consider migrating to other platforms such as:

Instagram Reels
YouTube Shorts
Lemon8
Triller

Potential Scenarios

While the ban is set for this Sunday, there are several scenarios that could unfold in the coming days:

Last-Minute Legal Intervention: There remains a possibility of a legal challenge that could delay or halt the ban.
Temporary Injunction: Courts may issue a temporary injunction allowing TikTok to operate while legal proceedings continue.
Complete Shutdown: If no intervention occurs, users will face a complete shutdown of the platform in the U.S. market.

Emotional Impact on Users

The potential ban is not just a technical disruption; it carries significant emotional weight for many users. Content creators who have built their brands on TikTok may experience economic repercussions as they lose a primary platform for engagement. Additionally, the shift could lead to broader changes in the social media landscape as users seek new avenues for expression and connection.

Conclusion

As we approach this critical deadline, TikTok users should remain vigilant and prepared for possible changes. Whether through legal maneuvers or a complete shutdown, the future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for real-time updates as we navigate this evolving situation together.