Press Releases

Gomez, who represents creators in Los Angeles took questions, comments and concerns from some of social media's biggest names

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With a TikTok ban just days away and as the 2025 tax debate begins in Congress, today, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) convened social media creators and influencers in a first-of-its-kind listening session where they had their voices heard. 

Content creators included Sidney Raskind, Angelina Darrisaw, Loren Piretra, Stacey Tisdale, Hunter Avallone, among others. Collectively, the creators and influencers represent millions of followers and are part of a creator economy that is estimated to roughly double in size over the next five years to $480 billion by 2027 from $250 billion in 2023. Gomez, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, opened the session by stressing the importance of creators and influencers being treated the same as any other small business owner. 

“Content creators are changing the game, and they’re driving LA’s digital creator economy and shaping culture while running innovative small businesses. That’s why I voted against the TikTok ban and I’ve called for a better solution that won’t harm creators,” said Rep. Gomez. “As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I’m focused on making sure our tax code is working for everyday Americans and small businesses, including these content creators and digital entrepreneurs. While Republicans are pushing for more tax breaks for billionaires in the tax debate, I’m fighting to make America affordable for working people and ensure that the ultrawealthy and big corporations pay their fair share.”

Other discussion topics included taxes and tariffs and their potential impact on the creator economy, small business structuring, and what everyday Americans are discussing online.

“This was truly a historic session,” said Michael Ceraso, an organizer and advocate, who moderated and invited creators to the event. “Far too often, politicians use influencers to push out their own political messaging. Today, that changed and went the other direction. I applaud Representative Gomez for his openness and willingness to listen. This is, hopefully, the first of many listening sessions and our goal is to schedule additional events to showcase the positive impact of creators and influencers.”

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