Coverage dated November 15, 2023 to November 16, 2023

Osama Bin Laden TikTok video creator speaks out following backlash

Headline from Newsweek

A letter allegedly written by the late Taliban chief has surfaced across social media.

Newsweek's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Reports & sources

20 articles, oldest first.

  1. Blaze Media

    Young Americans use TikTok to promote Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America' that tries to justify 9/11 terror attacks (opens Blaze Media)

    Published

    Blaze Media's feed description

    Young Americans are embracing and promoting Osama bin Laden's "Letter to America" – a document from 2002 that attempts to justify the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.Osama bin Laden's letter to U.S.

  2. Fox News

    Osama bin Laden's infamous 'Letter to America' after 9/11 promoted by TikTok influencers, goes viral (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    There has been a sudden surge of social media users reading Osama bin Laden's "Letter to America," particularly among pro-Palestinian activists on TikTok.

  3. Washington Post

    Why Osama bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ went viral, 21 years later (opens Washington Post)

    Published

    Washington Post's feed description

    TikTok users are eagerly sharing bin Laden’s genocidal letter from the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, but missing the context.

  4. Newsweek

    Osama Bin Laden TikTok video creator speaks out following backlash (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    A letter allegedly written by the late Taliban chief has surfaced across social media.

  5. Rolling Stone

    Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America' Goes Viral 21 Years Later -- on TikTok (opens Rolling Stone)

    Published

    Rolling Stone's feed description

    Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America,' published a year after 9/11, found a new fandom on TikTok and got removed from The Guardian's website.

  6. Time

    Why Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America' Is Going Viral on TikTok (opens Time)

    Published

    Time's feed description

    Osama bin Laden's two-decade-old letter is going viral on TikTok among a new generation debating the Israel-Hamas war.

  7. Newsweek

    Osama bin Laden "peace" warrior article resurfaces when TikTok finds letter (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    A letter written by Osama bin Laden about a year after the 9/11 attacks has sparked discussion after going viral on social media.

  8. CNN

    Some young Americans on TikTok say they sympathize with Osama bin Laden (opens CNN)

    Published

    CNN's feed description

    Dozens of young Americans have posted videos on TikTok this week expressing sympathy with Osama bin Laden, the notorious terrorist who orchestrated the September 11 attacks, for a two-decade-old letter he wrote critiquing the United States, including its government and support of Israel.

  9. Washington Examiner

    Mike Gallagher argues it's time to ban TikTok as app ignites sympathy for Osama bin Laden (opens Washington Examiner)

    Published

    Washington Examiner's feed description

    Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) argued it's time to ban TikTok after 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden's "Letter to the American People" went viral and stoked sympathy with younger users.

  10. The Daily Caller

    Social Media Giants Crack Down On Viral Osama Bin Laden Letter Justifying 9/11 Attacks (opens The Daily Caller)

    Published

    The Daily Caller's feed description

    Instagram and TikTok decided to take down Osama bin Laden’s 2002 letter justifying the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks after it went viral.

  11. CBS News

    TikTok cracks down on posts about Osama bin Laden's "Letter to America" amid apparent viral trend (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    Osama Bin Laden's 2002 "Letter to America" spread on social media this week, with some TikTok users saying the terrorist leader's writings changed their views on U.S. foreign policy.

  12. FOX Business

    TikTok will remove calls to read Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America,' says it 'clearly' promotes terrorism (opens FOX Business)

    Published

    FOX Business's feed description

    TikTok said Osama bin Laden's infamous pro-terrorism "Letter to America" violates its rules about supporting any form of terrorism and will be removed from the platform.

  13. New York Post

    TikTok shredded as Osama bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ gets viral praise: ‘Terrorist propaganda’ (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    The Guardian pulled down the text of Osama bin Laden’s ‘letter to America’ after it went viral.

  14. The Daily Dot

    'Like everything he said was valid': Why is TikTok suddenly here for Osama Bin Laden's 'Letter to America' (opens The Daily Dot)

    Published

    The Daily Dot's feed description

    A decades-old letter allegedly written by Osama Bin Laden explaining why he planned the Sept. 11 attacks has gone viral on TikTok.

  15. Anchorage Daily News

    Why Osama bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ went viral on TikTok, 21 years later (opens Anchorage Daily News)

    Published

    Anchorage Daily News's feed description

    TikTok users are eagerly sharing bin Laden’s genocidal letter from the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, but they’re missing the context.

  16. Washington Times

    Osama bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ goes viral as some youths make ties to Israel-Hamas war (opens Washington Times)

    Published

    Washington Times's feed description

    A 2002 letter written by Osama bin Laden attempting to justify the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks he masterminded has been spreading on TikTok, and some users are drawing connections between the letter and the Israel-Hamas war.

  17. Legal Insurrection

    TikTok Influencers Encouraging People to Read, Embrace Osama bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ (opens Legal Insurrection)

    Published

    Legal Insurrection's feed description

    The influencers are using the letter to push their anti-Israel and anti-Jew agenda.

  18. NewsBusters

    NBC Runs Defense for TikTok Promoting, Radicalizing With Osama Bin Laden Letter (opens NewsBusters)

    Published

    NewsBusters's feed description

    After omitting the story on their morning and evening newscasts on Thursday, Friday was the day NBC’s Today finally decided that they should mention that the China-own social media platform TikTok had been promoting a letter written by late Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

  19. The American Spectator

    Bin Laden’s Letter Praised by TikTok - The American Spectator | USA News and PoliticsThe American Spectator | USA News and Politics (opens The American Spectator)

    Published

    The American Spectator's feed description

    “Letter to America,” written by Osama Bin Laden went viral on social media, gaining traction among progressives.

  20. New York Post

    Osama bin Laden’s fan club: Letters to the Editor (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    The Issue: Osama bin Laden’s “Letter to America” going viral among young leftists on TikTok. If we needed another reason to ban TikTok, then I’d say we have the final nail in the coffin (“Fangirls …

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