Answer Details

Here are two fairly trustworthy U.S.-political news creators on TikTok — along with caveats and how to use them wisely. If you like, I can pull a longer list (~5-10) with full disclosure on bias, reliability and track record. 1. V Spehar (TikTok: @underthedesknews) 6 Why they’re worth considering: Spehar (non-binary, uses they/them) built the TikTok account Under The Desk News, which focuses on breaking down U.S. political/current-events topics in accessible short form. Wikipedia +1 They have interviewed high-profile people, worked with legacy media for periods (such as a stint with the Los Angeles Times on TikTok), and have been recognised as a “trusted” Gen Z news voice. Advocate.com +1 They emphasise transparency in their work (e.g., clarifying sponsorships, presentation style) and aim to make news understandable and less anxiety-inducing. Under The Desk News +1 Caveats: Short-form (TikTok) inherently means less depth than a full article or long-form video; nuance may be lost in the edit. Every journalist/social-creator has some framing or bias; Spehar clearly comes from a perspective of wanting to serve younger audiences and make politics accessible. As with all social media creators, check sourcing if they reference complex or technical claims. Bottom line: A strong choice if you want digestible U.S. political news on TikTok with decent credibility. 2. Aaron Parnas (TikTok: @aaronparnas1) 5 Why they’re worth considering: Parnas is a lawyer-turned-commentator and TikTok content creator who covers U.S. politics, legal issues, and current events. Wikipedia He has a significant following and is transitioning into what might be described as journalist-influencer space, which can be useful in seeing issues that more traditional outlets might miss initially. Columbia Journalism Review Caveats: There has been scrutiny of his funding and some questions raised about transparency in his monetisation and affiliations (for example via a “creator incubator” program). Columbia Journalism Review He tends to have a clearer partisan angle (linked to Democratic-leaning commentary) which isn’t inherently bad, but it means you should be aware of viewpoint-bias and cross-check important claims. Bottom line: Good for legal-political commentary and dynamic short updates, but approach with awareness of his framing. ✅ My recommendation for using TikTok political news wisely Check multiple accounts: Use creators from different angles (left, right, independent) and compare what they’re saying. Follow the sourcing: When a creator makes a factual claim (e.g., about legislation, legal ruling), check whether they cite verifiable sources (court doc, official release, reputable journalism). Be alert to algorithm bias: Research shows that TikTok’s recommendation system may skew towards more extreme or emotionally charged content. arxiv.org +1 Short form ≠ full depth: TikTok excels at capturing attention and summarising, but use it as a starting point, not your only source. Watch for sponsorship/disclosure: Especially in the creator economy, transparency around ads or funding matters for credibility. If you like, I can compile a list of 5-10 TikTok accounts focused on U.S. political news/commentary, and annotate each with reliability score, political lean, and what to watch out for. Would that be useful for you?