Former President and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made a notable entrance onto the TikTok scene, sharing his debut video from a UFC fight on Saturday.
Standing alongside UFC president Dana White, Trump was introduced to the platform with a brief but impactful video clip. “The President is now on TikTok,” White announced, to which Trump responded, “It’s my honor.” The video montage captured moments of Trump amidst the lively crowd at the match in Newark, New Jersey.
While TikTok has become a significant source of news consumption for many young people, it remains a politically charged platform. Trump’s previous attempts to ban TikTok via executive action in 2020 were met with resistance, and President Joe Biden subsequently signed legislation in April compelling the Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest the app—a move currently under legal scrutiny.
@realdonaldtrump Launching my TikTok at @UFC 302.
For Trump, joining TikTok presents a complex scenario, especially given his involvement with Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of his social media platform Truth Social. Despite reporting substantial net losses in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, Trump Media continues to navigate the volatile stock market, drawing comparisons to meme stocks for its fluctuating valuation. The company’s recent announcement of plans to incorporate live TV streaming further underscores its evolving strategy.
As Trump ventures into TikTok, questions arise about potential competition with his own platform, Truth Social. However, Trump Media has yet to comment on this matter.
Trump’s history with TikTok is marked by efforts to address national security concerns, culminating in the unsuccessful attempt to force ByteDance to divest its U.S. assets. While Trump has criticized Biden for his stance on TikTok, the Biden administration has pressed forward with legislation requiring ByteDance to sell its U.S. operations within the year or face a nationwide ban.
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Despite past controversies surrounding TikTok, Trump’s arrival on the platform has garnered significant attention. Within just two days, his TikTok account has amassed over 3.7 million followers, showcasing the enduring influence of the former president in the digital sphere.
