Trump Joins TikTok, Garnering Millions of Views and Followers
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has created an account on the short-form video app TikTok, despite his previous attempts to ban the platform. His TikTok debut took place on Saturday night, featuring a single post that quickly gained traction. The video showcased UFC CEO Dana White announcing Trump’s presence on the app, followed by Trump himself expressing his gratitude. The majority of the footage captured Trump interacting with the crowd at a UFC event in New Jersey.
Within a short span of time, the video has garnered over 31 million views, and Trump has already amassed an impressive 1.7 million followers. Notably, this follower count exceeds that of the Biden-Harris account by more than five times. This move by the Trump campaign highlights the continued interest of politicians in reaching TikTok’s massive user base of 170 million in the United States.
Trump’s shift in stance towards TikTok is noteworthy. Previously, he sought to ban the app during his presidency. However, in May, he posted on Truth Social, his own social media platform, claiming that Joe Biden was responsible for the ban. Biden had indeed signed a bill that would prohibit TikTok if its parent company, ByteDance, failed to sell the app within a year. TikTok is currently challenging this bill in court.
Speculation regarding Trump’s change of heart has arisen, with some attributing it to the influence of billionaire Jeff Yass, who holds a significant stake in TikTok. However, Trump has vehemently denied this claim, arguing that banning TikTok would only benefit Facebook, which he considers an “enemy of the people.”
Although joining TikTok and accumulating over a million followers may seem like a minor development amidst Trump’s recent legal troubles, it holds significance. This move indicates that Trump recognizes the value of engaging with younger, disengaged voters, who are prevalent on TikTok. By embracing the platform, he may be able to connect with this demographic and further his political agenda.
While the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, Trump’s presence on the app demonstrates the platform’s enduring appeal and potential influence on the political landscape. As Trump navigates his post-presidential endeavors, it will be interesting to see how he utilizes TikTok to further his political ambitions and connect with a broader audience.