TikTok, the popular social media app for making short musical videos, has popularized viral dance challenges like the 'Renegade' and has even spawned bona fide celebrities like 15-year-old influencer Charli D'Amelio. Now, 26-year-old truck driver Joshua Collins is hoping to utilize the user base to support his run for Congress.
"TikTok has been the place where my message resonates most," Collins, a self-proclaimed socialist, told Cheddar.
He's been able to amass 50,000 followers and more than one million likes with a variety of videos both about his campaign and other interests.
In campaign videos, he talks about policies he supports, complete with hashtags like "#anarchy," and "#eattherich." He supports presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, has featured videos of himself at Sanders' rallies, and is vocally opposed to former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg's candidacy.
The candidate also is a supporter of LGBTQ issues, and said for young people on TikTok, "trans issues are really popular."
Collins, who describes himself as "really far-left" politically says he uses the app to give his take on issues he believes aren't being talked about enough and has compared the Iraq war to President Trump's Iran escalation last month. He also uses the platform to support agendas like the Green New Deal and Medicare-for-All.
While many are excited to watch the final two NFL teams square-off and see which one ultimately takes home the trophy, some, on the other hand, are there for another mian attraction -- the commercials. Companies during this year's game are looking towards the future From electric vehicles, to robots, and crypto-currency, several first-time advertisers are expected to join long-time advertisers like Pepsi, Budweiser and Doritos during the NFL's biggest game. Tom Morton, Global Chief Strategy Officer at R/GA, joined Cheddar News' Big Game Special to discuss.
Americans are expected to spend nearly $24 billion in 2022 for Valentine's Day, and many of those gifts will be in the form of chocolate. John Galloway, interim president of the Americas and CMO of Godiva, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss what chocolate trends the brand is seeing this year, plus the impact of inflation and supply chain issues on the industry.
New York City's famous subway system is currently facing scrutiny after several recent attacks on platforms. Now, local leaders in the Big Apple are calling on the MTA. To step in and take action.
New York City ride-hailing app drivers are about to get a pay raise. According to the city's Mayor Eric Adams, New York will increase its minimum driver pay rate for both Uber and Lyft drivers. This means both platforms would now be required to pay their drivers a minimum of $1.61 cents per mile and about 0.50 cents per minute. Ultimately, the move would give riders at least a 5.3% race. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Tensions in Ukraine continue to rise. According to NATO and U.S. officials, Russian troops are still being built up despite Moscow's claims of de-escalation. However, Ukraine does not believe the troops are enough to mount an invasion. The government in Kyiv has also reported several cyber attacks against its defense agencies and banks which is the largest attack in the country's history. Foreign Affairs Reporter based in Ukrain, Terrell Starr, joined Cheddar to discuss more
