Newsom Opens California Probe Into TikTok Alleged Suppression of Anti‑ICE and Anti‑Trump Content
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has opened a probe into whether the new U.S. version of TikTok is suppressing anti‑ICE and anti‑Trump content after users reported, among other issues, that messages referencing "Epstein" in connection with former President Trump were blocked. TikTok says the problems are technical glitches rather than deliberate political censorship, but the platform and its proposed U.S. joint venture are now under scrutiny and being watched for potential investor and market impacts.
📌 Key Facts
- California Governor Gavin Newsom has opened a state probe into allegations that TikTok is suppressing political content.
- Newsom framed the investigation specifically around claims of suppression of content critical of President Trump, not just routine moderation errors.
- Users reported a direct‑message block that prevented sending the word 'epstein' in messages referencing Trump’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein; CBS confirmed this example as part of the broader complaints.
- CBS reports the complaints focus on the new U.S. version of TikTok (tied to a Trump‑aligned joint venture), with users saying it is suppressing anti‑ICE and anti‑Trump content.
- TikTok has responded that the problems are due to technical difficulties rather than intentional political censorship.
- California’s probe is underway and the platform is now under scrutiny; CBS flagged this as a MoneyWatch story, signaling investor and market audiences should watch for potential effects on the U.S. TikTok joint venture.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 28, 2026
12:21 AM
California Gov. Newsom launches probe into whether TikTok is suppressing content
New information:
- CBS frames the investigation specifically around user claims that the new American version of TikTok is suppressing anti‑ICE and anti‑Trump content, not just 'Epstein'‑related messages.
- The segment confirms that California’s probe is underway and that the platform is already 'under scrutiny' over these political‑content complaints.
- CBS identifies this as a MoneyWatch story, signaling that investor and market audiences are being told to watch how the investigation could affect the U.S. TikTok joint venture.
January 27, 2026
10:11 AM
Newsom probing TikTok over alleged suppression of anti-Trump content
New information:
- Confirms that the DM block Newsom highlighted involves users being unable to send the word 'epstein' in messages referencing Trump’s past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Clarifies Newsom’s framing that the alleged suppression is specifically about "content critical of President Trump," not just generic moderation glitches.
- Reiterates TikTok’s position that the issue stems from technical difficulties rather than intentional political censorship, in the context of the new Trump‑aligned joint venture.