Ron DeSantis, Florida’s Republican governor, accused Libs of TikTok of spreading falsehoods about state laws in a recent social media post. The controversy stemmed from a claim made by Chaya Raichik, the founder of the right-wing social media account, suggesting that three Guatemalan men had been arrested for kidnapping and assaulting a Florida woman. Raichik further asserted that Florida grants driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, which is not accurate according to state law. Responding to the post, DeSantis denounced Libs of TikTok for spreading misinformation to garner attention. He accused the account of lying to “generate clicks and engagement.” The exchange highlights the ongoing battle over accurate reporting and the influence of social media platforms in shaping public perception of political issues. He said, “Truth shouldn’t be a casualty of attempts to generate clicks and engagement farm.” Libs of TikTok has gained notoriety for its targeting of pro-LGBTQ+ activists and institutions. According to Media Matters, at least 28 entities highlighted by Libs of TikTok online have reported threats to law enforcement. Notably, Chaya Raichik, the account’s founder, is not implicated in making these threats. DeSantis and Libs of TikTok were fans of each other once upon a time. What went wrong? Or should we say what went right?
