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In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has joined TikTok, the popular social media platform he once sought to ban on national security grounds. During his presidency in 2020, Trump signed an executive order aiming to ban TikTok due to its connections with China.
However, this attempt was ultimately blocked by US courts. Now, Trump has amassed over 3.6 million followers since launching his account on Saturday, signaling a shift in his approach to social media.
Past Attempts to Ban TikTok
Trump’s original concerns about TikTok stemmed from its ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company. He argued that the app posed a national security risk, potentially sharing user data with the Chinese government.
These claims have been consistently denied by TikTok. Despite his previous stance, Trump has criticized recent efforts to restrict the platform, claiming such actions would empower Facebook-owner Meta, which he views as an adversary.
Biden’s Stance on TikTok
President Joe Biden has also taken steps against TikTok, recently signing a law that gives ByteDance nine months to divest the app or face a ban in the US. This move surprised many of TikTok’s estimated 170 million American users. Biden, who is also campaigning for re-election, has a TikTok account but with significantly fewer followers than Trump, currently standing at 340,000.
A New Strategy to Reach Voters
Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, told NBC News that Trump had already gained significant ground with young voters and sees TikTok as another way to connect with them.
His first TikTok post, a 13-second video of him attending a mixed martial arts event, has garnered over 60 million views. This quick rise in popularity suggests that Trump may be viewed by some users as a defender of the app in the face of potential bans.
Cultural Impact of TikTok
Marcus Bosch, a researcher at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, explained that TikTok has become a real-time sensor for cultural and social atmosphere. He suggested that some users might see Trump as a “potential preserver” of the app, which could explain his rapid follower growth.
Legal and Social Media Challenges
Trump’s reemergence on TikTok comes after a series of legal and social media challenges. Recently, he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments to adult film performer Stormy Daniels.
Additionally, his Facebook and Instagram accounts, which were suspended following the US Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, have been reinstated. Trump also launched his own social media platform, Truth Social, in 2022, where he reportedly owns a near-65% stake in its parent company, Trump Media.
Conclusion: A Digital Campaign Landscape
As the 2024 election approaches, the digital landscape is becoming increasingly important. Both Trump and Biden are leveraging social media to reach voters, with TikTok playing a significant role despite its controversial standing. Trump’s unexpected embrace of TikTok highlights the evolving strategies political figures must adopt to engage with the electorate in the digital age.