Nun in New Jersey Defends TikTok in TV Commercial Amid Scrutiny
In a surprising turn of events, Sister Monica Clare, a nun in northern New Jersey, has become an unexpected advocate for TikTok in a new TV commercial. The advertisement features Sister Monica Clare walking through a sunlit church, crossing herself in a pew, and proclaiming that TikTok is a force for good.
The 58-year-old nun explains in the commercial that TikTok has allowed her to create a community where people can feel safe asking questions about spirituality. She is just one of several fans of the social media platform, including ranchers, a Navy veteran known as Patriotic Kenny, and entrepreneurs, who are being highlighted in commercials as TikTok faces intense scrutiny in Washington.
Sister Monica Clare acknowledges that TikTok has a branding issue in the United States, with many people dismissing it as superficial garbage. However, she believes that the platform is much more than that and is grateful for the opportunity to share her message of faith and community through TikTok.
As the Senate considers a bill that could force TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a national ban, the company has launched a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign to reshape its image. The commercials, tagged #KeepTikTok, are airing nationwide, with a focus on battleground states like Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Ohio.
TikTok is pushing back against the bill, arguing that it does not share data with Beijing or allow any government to influence its content. The company’s lobbying efforts have included amplifying the stories of everyday Americans like Sister Monica Clare and Patriotic Kenny, showcasing how the platform has positively impacted their lives.
Despite facing backlash and hate mail for her involvement in the commercial, Sister Monica Clare remains hopeful that TikTok’s marketing efforts will help change the perception of the app. She believes that there is a huge community of people doing good on TikTok and is grateful for the opportunity to share her message of positivity and spirituality through the platform.
With the battle over TikTok’s future intensifying, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will respond to the company’s efforts to defend itself and its users. But for now, Sister Monica Clare and other TikTok advocates are standing firm in their belief that the platform has the power to bring people together and create positive change.
