Disney-owned ABC put their profits ahead of America on Thursday after they refused to report that TikTok, the social media app controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was promoting the writings of terrorist Osama Bin Laden. They ignored the story in order to promote their new amusement park in China themed after the movie Frozen. And not only did they ignore TikTok promoting the man behind 9/11, they actually ran a segment touting the app as a good thing.
On Wednesday night, the TikTok algorithm started promoting videos telling viewers to go read Osama’s “Letter to America” and that the 9/11 terrorist attack that killed nearly 3,000 innocent Americans was somehow justified. It was an intentional move that had possibly radicalized many impressionable American young people (along with other useful idiots) and created a national security concern.
And while all of the morning newscasts (including CBS Mornings and NBC’s Today) ignored the CCP undermining America with their social media app, ABC’s Good Morning America was particularly insidious since they promoted the app and China. Here’s their opening tease from co-hosts George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts:
STEPHANOPOULOS: TikTok to the rescue. How a college student's satirical post saved her life, leading to a kidney transplant and a friend forever.
ROBERTS: And into World of Frozen, we're rolling into Thursday. With a spectacular first look from Disney.
They were eager to praise the app because one user managed to find a kidney donor after posting videos about their struggle while waiting. “Back now with our Play of the Day. A lifesaving connection made on TikTok. Lara has the story,” washed-up NFL player Michael Strahan touted.
“It was this post that Katie Allen put up on TikTok that changed her life,” added co-host Lara Spencer. “Katie finishes senior year and works as a reporter for the local radio station. She said she is so thankful to be alive, thanks to TikTok, everyone!”
One might have written off the segment as just a vapid human interest piece, but the fact that it paved the way for the network to be corporate whores for Disney’s new park in China arguably pointed to a need to downplay China’s poisonous influence as their dictator was touring America.
Aside from the seemingly endless teases throughout the show, ABC’s self-promotion of the park lasted for nearly 10 minutes (9:24) with everything from an interview with Disney CEO Bob Iger to foreign correspondent Maggie Rulli running around in the park showing it off and making sure you know it’s in China:
RULLI: For the first time in forever, World of Frozen has come to life! Here, you can completely lose yourself in Arendelle and let it go! The castle, the clock tower, Elsa's ice palace, all of it nestled into the beautiful mountains of Hong Kong! Just like the movie – the Gates to World of Frozen are opening at Hong Kong Disneyland. We got a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney Imagineers brought Arendelle magic to Hong Kong.
All three broadcast networks have a new chance to cover the evils of TikTok on Thursday evening, but you shouldn’t hold your breath.
The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read:
ABC’s Good Morning America
November 16, 2023
7:01:51 a.m. Eastern [Opening Tease]GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: TikTok to the rescue. How a college student's satirical post saved her life, leading to a kidney transplant and a friend forever.
ROBIN ROBERTS: And into World of Frozen, we're rolling into Thursday. With a spectacular first look from Disney.
MAGGIE RULLI: Let it go!
ROBERTS: Maggie Rulli is there. Here we go.
(…)
7:59:26 a.m. Eastern
MICHAEL STRAHAN: Back now with our Play of the Day. A lifesaving connection made on TikTok. Lara has the story.
[Cuts to video]
LARA SPENCER: It was this post that Katie Allen put up on TikTok that changed her life.
VOICEOVER: You have something I want.
SPENCER: What she wanted was a kidney.
KATIE ALLEN: If you need an organ transplant, like me.
SPENCER: Katie posting her medical challenge on social media, attempting to find moments of humor, despite facing a life threatening situation after being diagnosed with IgA neuropathy, a non-curable kidney disorder.
(…)
7:50:55 a.m. Eastern
SPENCER: Savannah starts nursing school in January, while Katie finishes senior year and works as a reporter for the local radio station. She said she is so thankful to be alive, thanks to TikTok, everyone!
(…)
8:36:16 a.m. Eastern
STEPHANOPOULOS: As you just heard from our CEO at Hong Kong Disneyland celebrating World of Frozen ahead of next week's official opening day for their innovative new land. Maggie Rulli is in Hong Kong with the first look. Good morning, Maggie.
RULLI: Hey, guys, good morning. Although, this morning we're saying good morning Arendelle! You know, Imagineers tell us that the hardest part about getting Frozen just right was Elsa’s ice magic. You can see her ice castle up there just sparkling behind me. To make it look like that they had to use hundreds of real crystals.
Guys, we got a behind the scenes look at all of it.
[Cuts to video]
Elsa, Ana, and Olaf all have a new home.
For the first time in forever, World of Frozen has come to life! Here, you can completely lose yourself in Arendelle and let it go!
The castle, the clock tower, Elsa's ice palace, all of it nestled into the beautiful mountains of Hong Kong!
Just like the movie – the Gates to World of Frozen are opening at Hong Kong Disneyland. We got a behind the scenes look at how Disney Imagineers brought Arendelle magic to Hong Kong.
(…)
