Answer Details

Here are three relatively trustworthy U.S. political-news-oriented TikTok accounts, plus a few caveats on evaluating trustworthiness. Because TikTok is a rapidly changing platform and “trustworthy” is context-dependent, I recommend considering these as starting points, not definitive endorsements. 1. V Spehar (TikTok handle: @underthedesknews) 6 What makes them credible: Spehar is an American journalist who became known via the TikTok account “UnderTheDeskNews”. Wikipedia +2 Reuters Institute +2 Their background includes working for/with established media organisations (including helping run the TikTok account for Los Angeles Times). Wikipedia The content tends to focus on summarising U.S. political events in short-form videos, which helps for scan-friendly consumption. Limitations: Short-form video means granular sourcing and nuance can get compressed. While more reliable than many influencer-style accounts, it still should be supplemented with full articles or primary sources. 2. MeidasTouch (TikTok handle: @meidastouch) 6 What makes it notable: MeidasTouch is a U.S. political media network with a progressive / pro-democracy focus. Wikipedia It has a sizable following and engages in political news coverage via TikTok and other platforms. Because it is an organised media-brand (rather than purely freelance influencer) it tends to have higher stakes and somewhat more accountability. Considerations: The progressive slant is clear. That means while content may be factual, it often comes with a perspective. “Trustworthy” doesn’t mean “neutral” — review the framing and check original sources when possible. 3. Gen‑Z for Change (TikTok handle: @genzforchange) 6 Why it stands out: This is a U.S.-based non-profit advocacy organisation that uses TikTok and other social platforms to engage on democracy, social justice and policy issues. Wikipedia Because they are a formal organisation (rather than a solo influencer) they have some structural accountability. Caveats: They are explicitly advocacy-oriented and have a particular viewpoint (left-leaning). So their content often mixes news + activism. For straight news (as opposed to advocacy) you may want one of the above or a more neutral news-organization account. How to judge trustworthiness on TikTok Since TikTok is less established for rigorous journalism compared to traditional media, here are some heuristics: Check whether the creator clearly cites sources (articles, documents, official statements) rather than just opinions. Prefer creators with a journalistic background or affiliation with recognised news organisations. Beware of short-form video that may omit nuance or context, leading to oversimplification. Recognise bias/leaning: Even “trustworthy” creators will have a viewpoint; knowing that helps you interpret. Be alert that platforms like TikTok have algorithmic biases and disinformation risks. For example, one study found that for the 2024 U.S. election on TikTok the recommendation algorithm showed more partisan-aligned content to Republican-seeded accounts. arxiv.org Verify across multiple sources — if a TikTok video claims something big, check for reporting in established outlets. If you like, I can pull together a longer list (say 10–15 TikTok accounts) across the U.S. political spectrum (left, centre, right) with trust & bias ratings so you have a broad set of feeds. Would you like that?