September 30, 2025
Welcome to The L@B Report
Welcome to this month’s issue of The L@B Report from GSG, bringing you news and insights from the intersection of digital media and public affairs. In this issue, we cover the latest twist in the TikTok ban saga, how artificial intelligence is deepening political divides, and Spotify’s long-awaited rollout of lossless audio.
This issue of the L@B Report was compiled by Troy Davis.
In the News
Trump Extends TikTok Deadline Again, While U.S.-China Deal Emerges
Repeated extensions have confused both lawmakers and TikTok users
The long-running battle over the future of TikTok in the U.S. continues. President Trump once again extended the deadline for TikTok to sell its U.S. business or face a ban, pushing the date past mid-September. New details from The Wall Street Journal suggest a deal may be near: U.S. investors are preparing to buy TikTok’s American operations, with Beijing reportedly retaining some say over the app’s algorithm and data-sharing policies. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has warned that China’s approval is still required for the deal to go through.
Takeaway
The stop-and-start process has been frustrating for lawmakers and confusing for TikTok’s 170 million American users. Even if a deal is finalized, the repeated delays have eroded trust, and questions abound about the app’s algorithm and data privacy. Communicators and marketers should continue to plan with contingencies in mind: diversify presence across Instagram and YouTube, while continuing to monitor TikTok’s regulatory future.
AI Deepens GOP Divisions While Democrats Publish Their Playbook
The new technology becomes a political flashpoint
Artificial intelligence is becoming a political wedge issue. As Politico reports, Trump-aligned Republicans are split: Some embrace AI for campaign tools and voter engagement, while others warn of deepfake threats and manipulation. This divide is growing within MAGA ranks, raising questions about whether the right can unify around a consistent AI policy.
Meanwhile, Democrats are moving in the opposite direction. According to Axios, party strategists have rolled out an “AI playbook” designed to help campaigns harness AI responsibly — from testing messages faster to reaching voters in fragmented media environments. The playbook emphasizes guardrails against misinformation and stresses transparency, anticipating a campaign season where AI will shape both persuasion and attacks.
Takeaway
AI has gone from niche tech topic to political flashpoint. For communicators, the lesson is twofold: expect the debate over AI to grow louder and prepare for campaigns to weaponize both its opportunities and risks.
Spotify Launches Lossless Audio — After Delays
Owning mistakes can help brands rebuild trust
After years of speculation, Spotify has finally launched lossless audio for Premium subscribers. The company calls it a “richer, more detailed listening experience,” offering higher-quality sound to compete with rivals like Apple Music and Amazon Music.
However, as Axios reports, the rollout was delayed for months, frustrating users and raising questions about Spotify’s product strategy. In announcing the product, instead of ignoring how much time had passed, Spotify leaned in.
Takeaway
Spotify’s strategy underscores the importance of brand credibility and the challenge of timing: waiting too long risks damaging credibility but launching too soon risks underwhelming. The delay — and subsequent messaging — suggests that framing a launch is as important as the product itself. For communicators, it’s a reminder that audiences don’t just judge features, they also read into how and when they’re delivered.
More from GSG
For five years now, our research experts have been tracking voters’ ever-changing perceptions of the economy. Our latest Eye on the Economy report came out last week, and you can read the findings here, which show a nation deeply pessimistic about its economic future.
Key findings include:
- MAGA Republicans are the only group with positive views on the economy. 74% say the economy is “good,” compared to just 39% overall.
- Trump and Republicans are losing the debate about tariffs, as 66% say tariffs raise costs, harm U.S. businesses, and weaken the economy.
- Women—regardless of who they voted for in 2024—are more negative about their finances than their male cohorts.
- Young voters see both rising costs and structural barriers like stagnant wages, debt, and income inequality as defining their generation’s struggle.