Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi garnered attention on Wednesday for her remarks about TikTok during a speech on the House floor, using the playful analogy of "tic-tac-toe" to refer to the popular social media platform.

Pelosi, a Democratic representative from California, addressed the House regarding new legislation aimed at ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok. The proposed legislation seeks to compel ByteDance to either divest the app or face a ban in the United States.

People Are Dragging Nancy Pelosi For Her Her Cringey Comments About TikTok https://t.co/XtK8XdY0Ii

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Her remarks

In her speech, Pelosi emphasized that the objective of the legislation was not to outright ban TikTok but rather to improve its operations.

She expressed optimism, concluding with the whimsical phrase, "Tic-tac-toe, a winner." This choice of words caught the attention of social media users, who responded with both amusement and curiosity.

The legislation in question, proposed by members of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), received resounding support in the House.

The bill

It passed with a significant majority, securing a vote of 352-65, with 197 Republicans voting in favor.

According to a press release from the House Select Committee on the CCP, the bill empowers the president to designate certain applications as "social media applications that are subject to the control of a foreign adversary," thereby addressing potential national security risks under Title 10.

Pelosi, along with other House members, voted in favor of passing the legislation, highlighting concerns about TikTok's association with the Chinese government.

Some Republicans oppose

Some Republicans, such as Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, opposed the bill, citing apprehensions about potential government censorship and the protection of First Amendment rights.

Former President Donald Trump also expressed reservations about banning TikTok, acknowledging both its positive and negative aspects.

He particularly voiced distrust towards platforms like Facebook, hinting at broader concerns about social media influence and control.

The legislation now advances to the Senate for further consideration, although the outcome remains uncertain. President Joe Biden has signaled his readiness to sign the bill if it receives approval from the Senate, reflecting bipartisan efforts to address national security concerns related to social media platforms.

Pelosi's lighthearted reference to "tic-tac-toe" amidst discussions of serious legislative matters underscores the evolving landscape of political discourse, where elements of humor and colloquialism are occasionally integrated to engage and captivate audiences.