TikTok justice: When an online spat turned threatening, a content creator flipped the script on his antagonist

Powell, a TikTokker with more than 1 million subscribers, at his home office on Oct 28, 2022, in Chanannon. Powell said he has had to make three reports to the FBI about threats to himself and his family. — Chicago Tribune/TNS

For nearly two years Tom Powell Jr has talked politics on his popular TikTok channel, debating and mocking one foil after the next. The comment section can get rough, and Powell said it has occasionally devolved into violent threats.

But the vitriol always stayed within the platform. Until last week.