Summary: Former President Donald Trump has reversed his previous stance on banning TikTok, now pledging not to ban the platform if re-elected. During a conversation with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump firmly opposed outlawing TikTok, despite having supported a ban during his presidency. This shift occurs as President Joe Biden has approved a bill requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform by mid-January or face a potential ban. Trump’s change in position appears aimed at appealing to young voters, who are among TikTok’s most active users.
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has reversed his stance on TikTok, now pledging not to ban the popular social media platform if he returns to the White House. This shift in position was highlighted during a conversation with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as reported by The New York Post.
During his presidency, Trump was a vocal proponent of banning TikTok, citing concerns over national security and the app’s Chinese ownership. However, in recent days, Trump’s perspective has markedly changed. Since joining TikTok himself, he has expressed complete support for the platform, a stark departure from his previous efforts to outlaw it.
Speaking to Kirk, Trump made his new position clear. “I will never ban TikTok,” he declared, in response to Kirk’s assurance that a ban was off the table.
This about-face comes amidst ongoing debates about TikTok’s future in the United States. In April, President Joe Biden approved a bill demanding that ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, sell the platform by mid-January or face a potential ban. This move has been met with criticism from Republicans who argue that the app poses a significant security threat.
Trump’s recent engagement with TikTok adds another layer to the discussion. He recently joined the platform, expressing his enthusiasm about participating. The New York Post shared a 30-second video clip where Kirk asked Trump about his message to young voters.
“Well, the big message is to vote for Trump. We’re going to make our country greater than ever before. We had something going; it was incredible, and it’s just horrible what’s happened. This is the worst president in history, Joe Biden,” Trump said. He also criticized Biden’s recent trip to France, though his comments were vague: “And you look at it, even as a representative, he goes over to France, and something happened that’s not good. I don’t know what it is.”
As Trump’s campaign for the 2024 presidential election gains momentum, his evolving stance on TikTok reflects a broader strategy to connect with younger voters, who are among the platform’s most active users. His promise not to ban the app may resonate with this demographic, setting the stage for a contentious policy debate in the lead-up to the election.
