In a surprising turn of events, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has launched an account on TikTok, the popular short-form video app he once sought to ban. The account, which went live on Saturday night, has quickly gained traction, amassing over 1.7 million followers and more than 31 million views on its inaugural post by Sunday morning. This single post features UFC CEO Dana White introducing Trump’s arrival on the platform, followed by Trump himself stating, “It’s my honor.” The remainder of the video shows Trump mingling with the crowd at a UFC event in Newark, New Jersey.
Trump on TikTok’s turf
While the creation of a social media account by a political candidate is typically not headline news, Trump’s move underscores the continued political significance of TikTok in the United States. Despite the app’s uncertain future in the country, its vast user base of 170 million Americans remains a tantalizing target for politicians. For Trump, the platform could be particularly advantageous as he seeks to connect with younger, often disengaged voters who are active on TikTok.
Trump’s stance on TikTok represents a notable shift from his previous position. During his presidency, he aggressively pursued a ban on the app, citing national security concerns over its Chinese ownership. However, in a post on his own social media platform, Truth Social, in May, Trump accused President Joe Biden of being responsible for banning TikTok. This statement came after Biden signed a bill that mandates TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the app within a year, a move currently being contested in court by TikTok.
Critics, including former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, have accused Trump of changing his position due to the influence of billionaire Jeff Yass, who holds a significant stake in TikTok. Trump, however, has defended his new stance, arguing that banning TikTok would only benefit Facebook, which he has labeled an “enemy of the people.”
Trump’s entry into TikTok and his rapid accumulation of followers is a notable development, but it is just one aspect of a tumultuous week for the former president. This same week, Trump made history by becoming the first former US president to be convicted of felony crimes. This dual narrative of social media engagement and legal battles continues to shape the public’s perception of Trump as he campaigns for another term in the White House.
