President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his support for allowing TikTok to remain operational in the United States, citing its significant role in the success of his online campaign. Speaking at AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump highlighted how his campaign generated billions of views on the platform, underscoring TikTok’s influence in reaching audiences.
Read More: TikTok Introduces Custom AI Voiceover Feature
Trump’s comments are his clearest indication yet that he opposes the potential ban of TikTok, despite ongoing national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed a law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok, potentially leading to the app’s ban. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case, but with no decision yet, TikTok could face a shutdown as early as January 19, one day before Trump’s inauguration.
Acknowledging TikTok’s role in his campaign, Trump stated, “We went on TikTok, and we had a great response with billions of views, billions and billions of views.” He described reviewing a chart showcasing TikTok’s impact, calling it “beautiful to see,” and joked, “Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while.”
Trump’s remarks align with a recent meeting he held with TikTok’s CEO, during which he expressed his fondness for the platform, emphasizing its importance in his digital outreach strategy.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, the Justice Department and many U.S. lawmakers remain steadfast in their concerns over TikTok’s data privacy practices and its ties to China. They argue that the app poses an ongoing national security threat, with bipartisan support for measures to address these risks. The outcome of this debate could have a profound impact on TikTok’s future in the U.S. market.
