TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is under scrutiny for its impact on American society. A recent Media Intelligence Group report highlights concerns regarding the platform's association with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its influence on Americans.

• The MIG report underlines a predominantly negative sentiment among Americans toward TikTok and its alignment with China.
• The data suggests many Americans believe the platform may be fostering the spread of woke ideologies they call the “woke mind virus.”
• Some believe leftist propaganda, particularly among younger generations, is shaping views on important issues like abortion, Ukraine, China, and Israel.
• Americans are growing increasingly apprehensive about TikTok's potential to influence political views, shaping public opinion that contradicts Western and American values.

Overall sentiment toward China in the last two weeks has hovered in the mid to low 40% range.

What Americans are Saying

MIG data reveals that Americans have multiple concerns about TikTok and China influence.

TikTok Concerns

• There are overall concerns about TikTok being controlled by a Chinese company and potentially being influenced by the CCP.
• Belief that TikTok’s ubiquity was intentional in the CCP’s strategic economic and ideological competition with America.
• There is a general sentiment that 'woke' culture and leftist ideologies are being spread and propagated by TikTok.
• Belief that Gen Z are particularly at risk of influence by social platforms like TikTok.
• Some express concern that TikTok could be playing a role in shaping perceptions specifically in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Concerns about the CCP's potential to economically and financially ruin the West.
• Fears of further infiltration, influence, and the propagation of ideologies that are seen as detrimental to American values.

Bipartisan Agreement About TikTok Propaganda

In recent comments, former president Obama expressed concerns that TikTok influencers were shaping perceptions about the Israel conflict saying, “The problem with the social media and trying — TikTok activism, and trying to debate this on that — is you can’t speak the truth.”

• Republicans seem to agree with the sentiment that TikTok activism is largely negative.
• But while Democrats and Republicans agree that misinformation and propaganda are an issue, they disagree about which narratives and ideologies are untrue.
• The data suggestions many Americans believe Democrats are not consistent in their foreign policy, particularly with regards to Ukraine and Israel.
• Those on the right are quite negative toward Democrats, accusing them of hypocrisy, spreading the "woke mind virus," and being responsible for societal problems.
• Left-leaning Americans, however, say Republicans are spreading oppression by supporting Israel in an ethnic cleansing operation and killing many civilians.

In the last two weeks, online sentiment toward Israel was low, dipping below 40% on most days with a low of 37%. Some commenters express concern that online ideological influence is a key driver of overall sentiment toward Israel.

Possible Congressional Investigations

• Concerns about TikTok's role in shaping public perceptions have been highlighted by the ongoing discussions of international conflicts, especially Israel and Hamas.
• This negative perception of TikTok, in connection with the CCP, has raised calls for congressional investigations.
• The potential for congressional investigations would likely intensify apprehensions and may significantly affect the platform's reputation and public perception.

Overall Media Influence

In addition to negative views of social platforms like TikTok, there are also negative sentiments toward media in general, including news and online platforms.

Pro-Palestine Activists

• Many pro-Palestine activists feel the wider media, outside of TikTok, is not accurately portraying the Israel situation, but instead favoring Israel.
• Activists involved in online discussions regarding the #freepalestine movement accuse the media of failing to report on what they believe to be atrocities and war crimes.
• They also suggest that the media is suppressing the voices of Palestinians and their supporters.
• Many are critical of the US government, accusing it of complicity due to its financial aid to Israel.

Conservative Censorship Complaints

• On the right, there is frustration with perceived bias in mainstream media coverage that unfairly vilifies Israel.
• There is a sense of dissatisfaction with the media, with some people accusing it of being a mouthpiece for leftist political ideologies.
• Many conservatives argue that big tech platforms and media organizations censor right-leaning ideologies.
• There is a perceived lack of coverage on issues like the origins Covid-19 and the role of the CCP in global affairs.

A common thread in the discussion on both sides is the notion of 'the other side' controlling the narrative.

A growing rift has emerged among Democrats over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, according to a new Media Intelligence Report.

• Overall online sentiment toward Israel and Hamas has been split over the past week at 38% and 36% respectively.
• However, among Democrats, sentiment has been more evenly divided between Israel and Hamas
• at 45% each.
• These sentiment indicators highlight growing ideological differences between factions in the Democrat party.

The Dividing Line for Dems

• The MIG report identified a generational divide, with younger Democrats generally more critical of Israel than older members who emphasize Israel's security needs.
• Moderate Democrats urged a balanced approach, condemning Hamas while addressing Gaza's humanitarian plight.
• Some old-school Democrats decry what they see as a shocking increase in antisemitism among college students and far-left Democrats.
• These divisions are causing a rare crack in the normally unified Democrat front.

What Democrats Are Saying

Historically, Democrats tend to move in lockstep, coalescing around a common principle or ideology that drives progressive policy. That is not the case when it comes to Israel.

Support for Israel Among Democrats

• Some Democrats defend Israel's military actions as necessary self-defense against Hamas. They argue that Israel is responding to aggression and criticize Hamas for using civilians as human shields.
• Among these Democrats, there is support for Biden’s $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel, without humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
• Many view Hamas’ actions on October 7 as a “vile atrocity” that requires immediate response.
• Overall, many older and more moderate Democrats seem to be inclined to support Israel compared to younger, extremely progressive Democrats.
• Many in the Jewish community argue that pro-Palestine protestors misunderstand the threat from Hamas and overly simplify the complex history.

Pro-Palestine Democrats

• In contrast, many younger Democrats accuse Israel of war crimes and "genocide" in Gaza. The far left celebrated the terror attack, refused to condemn it, or suggested Israel bears responsibility.
• They call for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel and an immediate ceasefire.
• Recent pro-Palestine protests in Washington DC, suggest a growing sentiment in support of Palestine.
• These individuals argue that Palestinians are being disproportionately targeted and suffer more casualties compared to Israeli civilians.
• Protestors demand the Biden administration take a firmer pro-Palestine stance.
• Some demand steps be taken to hold Israeli leadership accountable for alleged atrocities. Many protesters also express support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

Other Takeaways

• Overall, there seems to be a division over what constitutes antisemitism. Some say criticism of Israel equates antisemitism.
• Others argue that animosity towards Israel is growing, worsening antisemitism.
• Meanwhile, others argue criticism is not inherently antisemitic.
• In sum, the discourse reveals deep divisions not only between different political and ideological groups, but also within them.

With the holiday shopping season approaching, consumers appear conflicted about risking their usual shopping plans amid rising crime rates nationwide.  

What the Data Says 

Media Intelligence Group reports that public discussions reveal an emerging apprehension and caution regarding shopping dangers. 

• Reports of increased theft and organized retail crime in many major cities have been generating headlines all year.  
• Various reports also revealed that retailers lost more than $112 billion in 2022 due to crime.  
• Major brands like Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, Macy's, and others have closed store locations because of increasing theft. 

Now, the danger of in-store criminal activity has people expressing their hesitation to shop during what has traditionally been the heaviest shopping season of the year.  

• Some people argue that positive economic indicators like 2.0% and 2.1% GDP growth in Q1 and Q1 of 2023 point to a hospitable environment for spending.  
• However, concerns also persist about inflation's toll on families’ spending power, making purchases challenging. 

What Americans are Saying 

The MIG report suggests caution rather than fear is the prevailing mood among Americans.  

• Shoppers seem alert to potential dangers but not fully deterred.  
• Many do say they’ll think twice before venturing out or spend less time browsing in stores. 
• Meanwhile corporations seem quiet in the public forum but are likely keeping a close eye on shrinking revenues. 
• People are hesitant due to increased risks of theft and organized retail crime. 
• Some express fear about potential mass shootings in places like malls and shopping centers. 
• And most Americans feel uncertain about the overall economy affecting their spending power. 

Media Denial 

At the same time, many media outlets push back on the narrative that retail crime is significantly increasing nationwide based on available data.  

• Many headlines suggest that retailers may be overstating or sensationalizing the issue.  
• Some journalists express a desire for “more objective” data collection on retail crime trends before concluding there is a major national surge occurring. 
• Despite media pushback, these pressures may cause retailers to see decreased profits through the end of 2023. 

As conflict broke out in early October between Israel and Hamas, Black Lives Matter also found itself in the spotlight. The left-wing activist group generated severe backlash and negativity over its public expressions of solidarity with Hamas, which it ostensibly walked back by deleting some X posts.

According to a report from Media Intelligence Group (MIG), online sentiment toward Black Lives Matter has become increasingly polarized following the organization's controversial remarks. While BLM supporters argue that opposing oppression should be a universal cause, a vast majority of Israel supporters see the comments as anti-Semitic and promoting terrorism.

The MIG report revealed that Black Lives Matter quickly became a top discussion subject online following its statements. During the second week of October, there were more than 9,000 people engaging in online debate about the movement daily.

Sentiment also dropped from 45% positive to 37% in the same week as ideological divisions grew more apparent. Since mid-October, discussion of BLM online has subsided but sentiment overall for leftist ideologies remains in the low 40% range.

Recent discoveries of financial mismanagement in BLM chapters have also fueled negative perceptions. The alleged BLM-linked murder of an Antifa activist has further stirred controversy about violence associated with the movement.

Overall, Black Lives Matter's vocal alignment with Hamas has made it a lightning rod issue, costing it support and retaining only vehement supporters. The complex public response reflects the overall contentious ideological debates sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

A recent Media Intelligence Group (MIG) report on public sentiment regarding the US economy reveals a nation split along partisan lines. Supporters praise the administration for allegedly reducing unemployment and achieving GDP growth. But critics blame Biden for rising inflation and interest rates that threaten the middle class.

One sentiment that crosses the political divide is that many people feel their financial situations are becoming strained in the current economy. The report highlights Americans worries about the impact of continuously climbing interest rates on mortgages and car loans.

Today auto loan defaults are surging, and mortgage rates hover around 7.5%. Households are struggling with the higher threshold for borrowing. Despite the administration touting positive economic indicators like a 4.9% GDP growth in Q3 2022, many of the voting population still express fear and uncertainty. MIG data shows that Joe Biden's approval rating dropped to a concerning 35% during the second week of October.

Biden critics point to inflation reducing real incomes and an accumulating public debt burden as indicators of economic mismanagement. But Biden supporters credit policies like the Inflation Reduction Act for spurring investment and job creation. In general, sentiment appears aligned with political affiliations but the overall sentiment towards the economy in 2023 is negative.

President Biden's upcoming executive order on artificial intelligence has sparked divided public opinions. Some welcome potential regulations but a large part of the public is skeptical of this administration leading the way on controlling technological innovation.

Media Intelligence Group (MIG) reports show those in favor of an executive order are concerned about the unchecked growth of AI and dangers of algorithms making biased decisions. "AI clearly needs oversight to prevent misuse," said policy analyst John Smith. "This order seems a reasonable first step." Groups like the Public Interest Research Group back guidelines for AI development and auditing algorithms for discrimination.

However, many average voters seem to believe the order represents government overreach. While most people seem to express potential dangers and fears around the power of AI, many are not convinced government regulation is the best solution.

There is a widespread appreciation for the conveniences and advancements that technology provides. However, even developers of these new technologies fear powerful algorithms will soon have too much power and influence, particularly over information and privacy.

Another point of considerable discussion is about the role of big tech in spreading misinformation. Some argue that freedom of speech doesn't protect the right to spread harmful misinformation. However, many others worry about the use of AI to aid in censorship from tech companies.

Many people, across political divides, express growing concerns for platforms like TikTok, fearing its ties to the Chinese Communist Party and the potential for data exploitation and propaganda. This has led to calls for bans or stricter regulations on such platforms.

Overall, there's a clear agreement around the potential dangers of big tech and AI. However, balancing innovation, freedom of speech, and safety are contentious subjects of debate.

The public opinion of the movie "Sound of Freedom" is positive with many expressing how the movie opened their eyes to the reality of human trafficking. Sentiment toward the movie has remained consistently between 45-50% positive.

While the movie has generated some negative engagement, the negative comments are generally directed at elected officials for ignoring human trafficking and discuss the harmful consequences of it. This could help explain the sentiment score of 50.

The comments about the movie itself are overwhelmingly in support of it, with one person saying that it is a "major motion picture masterpiece" that everyone should see. Several comments mention that they recommend watching the movie and that it is a touching and powerful story about human trafficking.

Many individuals lauded the film as a blockbuster hit and praised its success at the box office despite being shelved by Disney five years ago. The sentiment towards Sound of Freedom was also contrasted with disapproval towards “Woke Hollywood” and big-budget movies.

Influenceable Campaign

Influenceable’s marketing campaign for Sound of Freedom showed significant success, causing a massive increase in the number of people talking about the movie online in a positive light.

Audience Breakdown

Right Leaning Audience Report:

• Supporters of "Sound of Freedom" are passionate about its message on child sex trafficking.
• They believe the film sheds light on the issue and resonates with audiences.
• Many are concerned about the reality of child sex trafficking and emphasize the importance of awareness.
• Supporters criticize mainstream media for alleged corruption and downplaying the issue.
• Some supporters reference religious beliefs, seeing the movie as aligning with their faith.
• Many criticize of Hollywood, questioning the motives of some involved in the film.
• Supporters also celebrate the movie's financial success as a testament to its compelling story.

Left Leaning Audience Report:

• Democratic Party supporters have mixed feelings about "Sound of Freedom."
• Some are highly critical, viewing it as perpetuating right-wing conspiracy theories.
• Some question the film's connection to actual trafficking, given its conservative ties.
• Others see it as a call to action in combating child trafficking, despite opposition from Hollywood.
• Some express Frustration with conservative figures involved in the film, doubting their credibility.
• Others express curiosity about the film's accuracy and portrayal of indigenous peoples.
• Divided views on the film within Democratic Party supporters.

Political Preferences: Sound of Freedom Audience

Timeline Summary

There were several public events that may have impacted reception and sentiment for Sound of Freedom. They include:

• July 3 – Influenceable launched a promo campaign for Sound of Freedom
• July 3 – Jordan Peterson interviews Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard
• July 4 – The movie is released
• July 19 – President Trump watched a screening of the movie, gaining media coverage
• July 25 – Kevin McCarthy also attended a screening of the movie
• August 4 – News came out that one of the funders for the movie was arrested
• August 14 – The movie’s director Alejandro Monteverde apologized to the media
• August 15 – Jordan Peterson tweeted at Disney about Sound of Freedom

None of these events seemed to impact public sentiment in any significant way. However, the number of people talking about the movie saw dips and spikes throughout the events. While conversation has trended slowly downward, the further from its release, events like Trump viewing and Peterson’s tweet showed small spikes.

Impact Events

Peterson Interviews Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard

• On July 3rd, Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard gave an exclusive interview to Jordan Peterson on his YouTube channel.
• While Sound of Freedom generated online discussion near 3,000 a day several other days in July, the day of Peterson's interview with Caviezel was the day with the highest level of online discussions in July at 2,940.
• This led to discussion levels above 2,500 for much of mid July before later sinking around 2,500 daily online discussions for the remainder of the Month.
• Sentiment for Sound of Freedom following the podcast stayed in the mid to high 40% range, which remained the case for the rest of July.
• The podcast frequently touched on religious themes, which is why the bulk of internet discussions involving sound of freedom frequently involved the power of faith in the face of the evils of the world, like human trafficking and government corruption.

Pay it Forward and Ticket Sales

• Coverage of Sound of Freedom’s usage of Pay it Forward to propel ticket sales occurred in major media outlets around late July and early August.
• A gradual downward trend in online discussions involving Sound of Freedom began in mid-July, so it's unlikely this was linked to this coverage.
• This is especially unlikely given Sound of Freedom’s consistent sentiment in late July through August in the mid 40s. Sentiment actually climbed each day after this coverage to 48% sentiment on August 11th.
• Since August 11th, sentiment has stayed above 45% every day.

QAnon Allegations

• During July, several media outlets began characterizing Sound of Freedom as a QAnon-linked film.
• The first major outlet to make this allegation was the Guardian on July 6th. For the next four days online discussions about Sound of Freedom consistently grew from around 2,600 on July 6th to nearly 3,000 by July 10th.
• While there was a small dip in sentiment from 52% on July 6th to 46% on July 8th, sentiment remained healthy and began to reverse course, climbing back to 48% shortly on July 9th.
• While the Guardian and other new outlets framing of the issue caused significant debate online surrounding QAnon and Sound of Freedom, many users denied the connection or pointed out the movie covers topics that are very real despite overlap with issues QAnon theorists discuss.

Trump Screening

• On July 19 Trump attended a screen of Sound of Freedom, causing a spike of around 200 talking about the movie online.
• The public reaction to Trump showing the Sound of Freedom film was largely positive.
• Many people praised the film for raising awareness about the issue of human trafficking and commended its real-life hero, Tim Ballard.
• The public reaction to Trump showing the Sound of Freedom film appears to be mixed and heavily influenced by political biases.
• Some expressed frustration with the mainstream media for minimizing the issue and labeling it a conspiracy theory. The film’s success at the box office was seen as proof that there is a demand for this kind of content, despite attempts by pedophiles and human traffickers to stop it from being seen.
• However, some individuals on the left dismiss Sound of Freedom as a “right-wing child sex trafficking fantasy” and question its validity.
• There were also some criticisms of the film, with some questioning whether it was problematic or giving undue credit to certain individuals.
• Overall, sentiment towards Trump showing the Sound of Freedom film was largely positive, with many people applauding his support for this important cause.
• Despite some negative press coverage, sentiment remained strong, moving from 47% to 48%.
• Overall, sentiment towards Trump showing the Sound of Freedom film is divided among different groups with different beliefs about its purpose and effectiveness in addressing issues related to child trafficking.

Marta Arrested

• Sentiment scores and engagement were not noticeably affected following Fabian Marta’s arrest, one of the thousands of contributing fundraisers for Sound of Freedom.
• Some were critical of the film, accusing it of being a dangerous tool for inciting violence against Democrats and destabilizing American democracy. They highlight its funding by sex traffickers and accused sexual predators as evidence for their claims.
• For much of July and August sentiment rested in the high 40% range.
• When news broke on August 4th, online discussions jumped by around two hundred, and sentiment did drop from 46% to 41%.
• However, this quickly corrected as the next 7 days sentiment moved back into the 45- 48% range.

Monteverde Apology

• Alejandro Gómez Monteverde's August 14 comments about the film do not appear to be present in online discussions.
• Some claim that Monteverde is not making any money from the film because the production company spent its ad budget on buying seats in theaters that are not filled.
• These claims have been refuted by others who point out that Sound of Freedom made more money than Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible.
• People talking about the film jumped by nearly 200 and sentiment minimally dropped from 48% to 47%. By August 18, it was back to 47.9%, scraping close to 48%. Meanwhile, people talking about the film slowly dropped backdown.

Public Comments

• Such sweet words from President Trump for Jim Caviezel, Tim Ballard, and Eduardo Verastegui for the movie Sound of Freedom. Glad to see this movie doing so well and helping many people in all walks of life learn about the horrible child sex trafficking "trade." #SaveTheChildren BREAKING: President Trump congratulates Jim Caviezel, Eduardo Verastegui, and Tim Ballard for making Sound of Freedom
• Why is the msm and hollywood so against the #SoundOfFreedom movie? Well, I guess they like child-trafficking. Prove me wrong. Any other possibilities? The media continues to minimize the issue of human trafficking and label it a “QAnon conspiracy” Meanwhile #SOFMovie passed $100 million in box office sales Why is the mainstream media agains raising awareness about the millions of kids trapped in sex slavery?
• Tim Ballard rocks ! Thanks for shining the light ❣ #godschildrenarenotforsa #SoundofFreedomMovie Tim Ballard Addresses The Allegations of Chipping Kids, Is A Trafficker, & a Mason “It will never cease to amaze me how far these Godless leftists media will go to run interference for human traffickers. I saw a post that seems to be trending in certain places saying that ai…
• Thank you Chris. #mgrwomen #soundoffreedom Gangs are actively engaged in human trafficking as a primary means to make money, & the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods is no different. Anyone who directs or participates in this criminal activity will be held accountable.
• We should all be this angry & DO SOMETHING. RIGHTEOUS ANGER. #GodsChildrenAreNotforSale #SoundOfFreedom #SavetheChildren GO WATCH SOUND OF FREEDOM - SAVE THE CHILDREN - JUSTICE IS COMING - SPREAD THE WORD
• As stated at the end of the movie, #soundoffreedommovie human trafficking is a 150 billion dollar-a-year criminal enterprise. It has eclipsed the illegal arms trade & is roughly a third of the size of the drug trade. Why is no one talking about #childtrafficking here in Ireland? #NBA #NFL #MLB #MMA #UFC #SoundOfFreedom #Mexico #Canada #Russia #Brazil #Australia #Hollywood #Hollyweird #NewYork #LosAngeles #California #Texas #Utah #Florida #Colombia #Arizona #Colorado #USA #UK #Hawaii #Serbia
• JUST IN: A federal appeals court has ruled that Washington, D.C. 'selectively enforced' their laws depending on who was breaking them. I've said it before, I'll say it again: America operates under a Selective Justice System. City authorities in Washington D.C. treated pro-life… Meanwhile, DEMOCRAT PEDOPHILES are roaming free! #EpsteinClientList #EpsteinIsland #SoundOfFreedom #PedoPete
• The scope of Justice Thomas’ undisclosed receipt of luxury vacations from billionaires takes your breath away. As does this Court’s arrogant disregard of the public. Every other federal court has an enforceable code of ethics — SCOTUS needs the same.
• Agreed. Multiple top Republicans involved in sex crime scandals. Their church supporters running pedophile rings that "religious freedom" shields from justice. The Sound of Freedom funders arrested fir child trafficking. On and on. The right is the party of sex abuse. To b clear, pedophile pervert Matt Gaetz shouldn’t be talking about the possibility of him being US Attorney General nor should he be in Congress, his creepy ass should be arrested and in prison for child sexual trafficking. This is the America MAGA wants and it’s fucking gross.
• Silly rabbit, it's only human trafficking when brown people steal Christian children! (Sarcasm aside, I'm pretty sure that's the subtext of the phrase "God's children" in the SOUND OF FREEDOM movie). the Masts are evangelicals who claim their are saving the baby. The AP headline doesn’t do this case justice; it is human trafficking
• GO WATCH SOUND OF FREEDOM - SAVE THE CHILDREN - JUSTICE IS COMING - SPREAD THE WORD
• Thank you Chris. #mgrwomen #soundoffreedom Gangs are actively engaged in human trafficking as a primary means to make money, & the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods is no different. Anyone who directs or participates in this criminal activity will be held accountable.