WASHINGTON — In a surprising move, former US president and current White House hopeful Donald Trump has joined TikTok, posting his first video on the widely popular social media app he once sought to ban. The 13-second clip, uploaded on Saturday night, features Trump in his signature blue suit and red tie attending an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in Newark, New Jersey.
The video, which showcases raucous music, opens with an introduction by UFC CEO Dana White. Trump then leans into the camera, stating, “It’s my honour,” before greeting attendees at the UFC arena. He concludes the clip with a casual remark, “That was a good walk-on, right?” As of midday Sunday, Trump’s TikTok account, @realDonaldTrump, had already amassed two million followers.
This move appears to be an effort by Trump to connect with younger voters as he campaigns for reelection in November. The former president’s foray into TikTok is particularly notable given his previous attempts to ban the app. While in office, Trump issued an executive order to prohibit TikTok on national security grounds, citing concerns that the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, could provide user data to the Chinese government. However, the ban was stalled in the courts when a federal judge blocked the initiative, citing potential impacts on free speech.
The controversy surrounding TikTok continues under the current administration. In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the United States if ByteDance does not sell the app within a year. US officials remain concerned about the potential for China to use TikTok to collect personal data on Americans for nefarious purposes. Despite these concerns, the Biden campaign has also embraced TikTok, recognizing its influence, with the app boasting over 170 million users in the United States.
Trump’s unexpected TikTok debut highlights the ongoing complexities and contradictions in the US political landscape regarding social media and national security. As the election season progresses, it remains to be seen how Trump’s presence on TikTok will impact his campaign and influence his voter base.