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Clinton Says Short Social Videos — Especially on TikTok — Are Shaping Young Americans' Views on Gaza

Hillary Clinton warned at a New York conference that many young Americans form pro-Palestinian views after watching short social videos — especially on TikTok — which she said often lack historical context or can be misleading. She argued that reliance on such clips makes reasoned discussion difficult and noted that over half of young people now get news from social platforms. Former speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz echoed these concerns, saying graphic short-form content can prevent constructive conversation and skew perceptions.

11:10 AM, 12/03/2025Politics

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned at a New York conference that many young Americans are forming pro-Palestinian views after watching short social media videos, particularly on TikTok. She argued that these clips often lack context and can be misleading, and that reliance on short-form content is changing how younger people understand the Israel–Gaza conflict.

Clinton's concerns

Clinton asked where "smart, well-educated, young people" were getting their information and identified social platforms — and TikTok specifically — as a primary source. She said young viewers are learning about "what happened on October 7th, what happened in the days, weeks, and months to follow" through short clips that often omit important historical context.

"They are seeing short-form videos, some of them totally made up, some of them not at all representing what they claim to be showing, and that's where they get their information," Clinton said, adding that a lack of context makes reasoned discussion difficult.

Clinton also noted that this phenomenon is not confined to one demographic: she said it included many young Jewish Americans who, she believes, do not fully understand the history behind the conflict. She cited the statistic that more than half of young people in the United States now get news from social media platforms.

Related remarks from Sarah Hurwitz

Former White House speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz made similar points at a separate gathering, criticizing the steady stream of graphic short videos that she says can overwhelm young viewers and hinder constructive conversation. Hurwitz also suggested that some approaches to Holocaust education can be misunderstood by younger people and, combined with graphic social content, may shape sympathy in ways she views as problematic.

Broader context

Clinton's and Hurwitz's comments highlight a wider debate about the role of short-form social media in shaping political opinions and historical understanding among young people. Supporters of social platforms point to increased access to information and diverse perspectives, while critics warn about misinformation, decontextualized imagery, and the challenges these create for informed civic dialogue.

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