TikTok – Trump Racketeering – Microsoft to Acquire TikTok?
What Is Racketeering?
Racketeering
Racketeering is when organized groups run illegal businesses, known as “rackets,” or when an organized crime ring uses legitimate organizations to embezzle funds.
According to the Racketeer Influenced and Corruptions Act (RICO), examples of racketeering include criminal operations such as illegal gambling, prostitution rings, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, embezzlement, and extortion.
Such activities can have devastating consequences for both public and private institutions. Consequently, the federal government and numerous state governments have created systems of laws designed to prosecute these criminals who otherwise may evade police.
August 3rd, 2020
Now, what exactly is going on here with President Trump with this news clip here? Watch and listen before reading on.
WASHINGTON — President Trump gave the go-ahead for Microsoft to pursue an acquisition of TikTok, in his first public comments about the popular Chinese-owned video app after he had threatened to ban it from the United States entirely.
At the White House on Monday, Mr. Trump said that TikTok would shut down on Sept. 15 unless Microsoft or another company purchased it and that he had suggested in a call this weekend that the chief executive of Microsoft “go ahead” with the acquisition.
“It can’t be controlled for security reasons by China,” Mr. Trump said of TikTok, adding that he did not mind if Microsoft or another very secure, “very American” company bought it instead.
Mr. Trump said such a purchase would funnel a large amount of money to China, and argued that the United States should receive money in return for making it possible for this deal happen, without explaining how that would work.
Now wait, is that really what was said in the video byte above? “We are making it possible for this deal to happen.” No Trump, you are forcing this “deal” to happen?! This is totally gangster-like activities. If it were a free market, Micro$oft would have been able to buy TikTok freely if they chose. Is Mr. Trump asking for a “tip for America” or a sales commission here?
“A very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the Treasury of the United States because we’re making it possible for this deal to happen,” Mr. Trump said.
His comments indicated at least a temporary reprieve for “banning” TikTok, which has come under scrutiny in Washington for its Chinese ownership. Trump administration officials and lawmakers of both parties have argued that the app, which is known for dance videos and other fun viral clips, could pose a national security threat by potentially giving the Chinese government access to vast quantities of American user data.
Executives at TikTok have insisted that it does not take direction from ByteDance, its parent company in Beijing.
Microsoft declined to comment on Monday. TikTok said in a statement that it was “committed to continuing to bring joy to families and meaningful careers to those who create on our platform as we build TikTok for the long term.”
