Former President Donald Trump has joined TikTok, attracting three million followers on the platform he tried to ban while in office. This move could help him reach younger voters as he considers a third bid for the White House. His Democratic rival, Joe Biden, already has a presence on TikTok with over 340,000 followers, despite signing a bill that could ban the app if Chinese-owned ByteDance does not divest.
Trump’s launch video on TikTok, under the handle @realdonaldtrump, shows him interacting with fans at a UFC fight. Trump stated he plans to use every tool available to connect with the American people. The legal battle over TikTok’s ownership continues, with the White House citing national security concerns.
Despite his attempts to ban TikTok in 2020, Trump now has a strong social media presence with millions of followers on various platforms. The legal challenges to the TikTok ban are proceeding quickly through the court system, with oral arguments scheduled for September.