Answer Details

Here are two TikTok accounts in U.S. political/news space that stand out as relatively trustworthy — along with caveats and how to evaluate others. (Note: “trustworthy” here means they have a credible background and transparent approach, not that they are flawless.) ✅ Recommended Accounts 1. V Spehar (TikTok handle: @UnderTheDeskNews) 6 Why they’re interesting: V Spehar is a journalist/content creator who uses TikTok to break down U.S. current-events and politics in short-form. Wikipedia +2 Advocate.com +2 Their brand “Under The Desk News” started after they made a viral video on Jan 6 2021 and has since grown to millions of followers. CITY Magazine. Arts. Music. Culture. +1 They are more transparently linked to journalistic activity (rather than purely “influencer” fluff) which helps with credibility. Caveats: Even credible creators on TikTok still operate in a space prone to clips, simplifications, and algorithmic distortion. For example, research shows many TikTok “news influencers” don’t have a traditional news org background. Pew Research Center +1 Some content is designed for quick consumption, so it may omit nuance or deeper sourcing. As always, verify major claims with primary sources or reliable outlets. 2. Aaron Parnas (TikTok handle: @aaronparnas1) 4 Why they’re worth knowing: Aaron Parnas is a law-trained commentator using TikTok and a Substack newsletter (“The Parnas Perspective”) to cover U.S. politics, legal topics and current events. Wikipedia Having a legal background and a newsletter suggests a more deliberate approach to news (versus random viral clips). This kind of cross-platform presence (TikTok + newsletter) often means more room for detail and sourcing. Caveats: While more deliberate, the format is still social-media friendly. Quick videos can compress complexity. Even though he is more credible than many influencers, he is still not equivalent to a major news organisation with large investigative budgets. You still need to watch the sourcing of claims (especially legal/political claims) and check for bias or framing. 🔍 Criteria for Trustworthiness on TikTok (Politics/News) When evaluating any political/news account on TikTok (or short-video platforms), consider: Background & credentials: Does the creator have journalistic training, legal/policy background, or credible experience? Transparency of sourcing: Do they cite sources? Encourage critical thinking? Separation from pure entertainment: Are they primarily a meme or viral content account, or do they consistently provide informational value? Bias / tone: Are they upfront about a viewpoint? Do they present alternative views? Are they hyper-partisan or do they aim for context? Cross-platform presence: Often, creators with additional platforms (newsletter, podcast, website) allow for more depth and accountability. Algorithmic caution: Research shows that on TikTok, political content can be especially skewed by the algorithm (echo chambers, partisan amplification). rikithompson.ds.lib.uw.edu +1 News literacy awareness: Good creators remind viewers to check claims, watch out for manipulation, and understand the constraints of the medium. For instance, one article on news on TikTok pointed out: “A little skepticism pays off.” UConn Today If you like, I can compile a broader list (say 5-10) of U.S. TikTok accounts covering politics/news that are considered relatively reliable, with annotations about their leanings and reliability. Would that be useful?