President Joe Biden faced criticism for signing legislation that could potentially ban TikTok in the U.S., despite his campaign’s embrace of the platform and efforts to work with influencers. Some avid users of TikTok, which is a primary news source for a third of Americans under 30, expressed frustration at the perceived hypocrisy of the administration supporting a ban while utilizing the platform for political purposes. The Biden campaign defended its approach, emphasizing the importance of meeting voters where they are and reaching out on various social media platforms, including TikTok.
Opponents of TikTok have raised concerns about its ownership by Chinese company ByteDance, suggesting that Beijing could influence narratives seen by Americans and potentially access U.S. user data. The law signed by Biden would force ByteDance to sell the app to a U.S. company within a year or face a national ban. Despite these concerns, former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, now opposes a TikTok ban after previously trying to ban the app during his time in office. The Biden campaign has engaged with TikTok influencers and joined the platform to spread its message more widely.
TikTok has 170 million users in the U.S., with a significant portion of adults under 30 regularly getting news from the platform. A study found that young adults are more likely to oppose a ban on TikTok, with many using the app daily for news and entertainment. The Biden campaign has invested resources into working with TikTok influencers to produce pro-Biden content and extend its reach to younger voters. Despite potential concerns about a ban, the campaign believes that its influence on Election Day will be limited, as young voters will ultimately base their decisions on other issues discussed on various platforms.
The Biden administration’s use of TikTok has faced criticism from some influencers, including Kahlil Greene, known as the “Gen Z Historian” on TikTok, who has raised concerns about Biden’s support for the platform while pursuing legislation that could lead to its ban. Greene, who has been critical of Biden’s policies in the past, highlighted the dissatisfaction among young voters with the administration’s handling of certain issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite the potential backlash, the Biden campaign continues to engage with TikTok influencers and utilize the platform to connect with a younger audience.
The campaign views TikTok as one of many platforms where it can reach potential supporters and share its message with a diverse audience. While TikTok may eventually face restrictions, the campaign believes that it can adapt and continue to engage with influencers on other platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Priorities USA, a leading Democratic super PAC, has invested resources into funding TikTok influencers to produce pro-Biden content and reach younger voters. The decline in Biden’s support among young voters has raised concerns, but the campaign remains focused on connecting with this demographic through various social media channels.
Despite the potential challenges posed by the TikTok ban legislation, the Biden campaign remains committed to engaging with younger voters and utilizing social media platforms to drive its message. While some influencers have raised concerns about the administration’s policies, others continue to work with the campaign to produce content for a diverse audience. The impact of TikTok on Election Day remains uncertain, but the campaign believes that its broader outreach efforts through various platforms will ultimately drive voter engagement and support for President Joe Biden.
