In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has stated unequivocally that he will not be banning TikTok if elected during the 2024 presidential race. This stance was made clear during his appearance on the TikTok account of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point Action, right after a town hall event in Arizona. Trump’s brief clip garnered substantial attention on the platform with 1.8 million views and over 300,000 likes.
Trump emphasized his commitment to restoring America’s greatness, criticizing the current administration under President Joe Biden, which he labeled as “the worst president in history.” Notably, Trump’s promise to preserve TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned social media platform, contrasts sharply with the current administration’s decision to enforce a ban on the app. The ban, set to take effect on January 19, 2025, aims to pressure ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the platform due to ongoing security concerns over Chinese influence.
Despite only posting once since joining TikTok a week ago, Trump has outpaced Joe Biden’s reelection campaign on the platform, amassing 5.8 million followers compared to Biden’s 360,000. This remarkable growth underscores Trump’s continued influence and capacity to engage with a diverse audience, even on a contentious app.
This ban signed into law by Biden in April, has sparked a legal battle. TikTok responded by filing a lawsuit claiming the ban infringes on the First Amendment rights of the platform itself. This legal fight was bolstered by another suit from TikTok users. Now, the matter lies with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which is expected to rule by December 6.
Trump’s previous stance towards TikTok, which included efforts to ban the app during his presidency, has evolved. He now condemns the bill passed unanimously by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which would grant the President extensive powers to restrict apps from adversarial nations. This indicates his belief that a blanket ban may not serve the nation’s best interest, reflecting a nuanced approach that balances national security with the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Various members of Congress share Trump’s reservations about the current law, though their opposition has not succeeded in overturning it. As the debate continues, the resolution of this issue will undoubtedly shape the digital landscape in America, highlighting the complexities of modern policy-making in the age of ubiquitous social media.
The contrasting positions of Trump and Biden on TikTok not only reflect their differing policy perspectives but also showcase broader ideological divides over regulation, freedom of expression, and national security. As the 2024 election approaches, these debates will undoubtedly intensify, influencing voter sentiment and the broader trajectory of American politics and governance.
