Former President Donald Trump has joined the popular video-sharing app TikTok, a platform he once sought to ban during his time in the White House. Trump posted a video from a UFC fight just days after he became the first former president to be found guilty on felony charges. The video, which already has over 1 million likes and 24 million views, shows Trump waving to fans and posing for selfies at the event. Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, stated that joining TikTok is part of the campaign’s effort to reach a younger audience that consumes pro-Trump and anti-Biden content.
Democratic President Joe Biden signed legislation in April that could potentially ban TikTok in the U.S., despite his campaign joining the platform in February and working with influencers. Trump received an enthusiastic welcome at the UFC fight in Newark, with the crowd chanting “We love Trump!” and expressing negative sentiments towards Biden. This public appearance marked Trump’s first outing since being found guilty on 34 charges related to the 2016 election. He has denied any wrongdoing and plans to appeal the verdict, with his sentencing set for July 11.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has used appearances at UFC fights as a way to project strength and appeal to potential voters who may not actively follow politics. The campaign’s decision to join TikTok, which has about 170 million users in the U.S., is seen as a way to connect with younger demographics that are hard to reach through traditional means. Despite previously expressing concerns about TikTok’s national security risks, Trump refrained from banning the app as he believed it would benefit its competitor, Facebook. Biden’s legislation gives ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, a limited time to sell the app before facing a potential ban.
Trump’s appearance at the UFC fight was followed by an interview on Fox News, where he discussed the possibility of facing jail time or house arrest. Despite maintaining his innocence and claiming he did nothing wrong, Trump acknowledged the challenges his family, particularly his wife Melania, is facing as a result of the trial. Melania did not accompany him to court during the seven-week trial process. Both Biden and Trump’s campaigns have utilized TikTok as a platform to reach voters, recognizing the need to engage with audiences across various social media platforms in the modern media landscape.
In a statement from his spokesman, it was highlighted that engaging with TikTok users is a strategic move to ensure that no front is left undefended in reaching potential voters. The use of TikTok, despite its controversial history and potential security risks, is seen as a way to connect with younger demographics who are active on the platform. Trump’s appearance at the UFC fight and subsequent social media posts demonstrate his ongoing efforts to maintain a public presence and engage with supporters as he navigates legal challenges and prepares for a potential re-election campaign in the future.
