Donald Trump joins TikTok, the very app he once sought to ban

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has created a TikTok account and posted his first video this Saturday, June 1, only two days following his conviction in ‘Hush Money’ trial. 

The platform, which Trump had previously targeted for a ban during his presidency citing national security concerns, featured his debut in a 13-second clip where he expressed it was an "honor" to join, recorded at the UFC 302 event.

Trump's initial efforts to ban TikTok centered around worries that its parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., posed a security risk. 

In 2020, he issued an executive order demanding TikTok be sold to an American entity or face a ban, a move TikTok contested as lacking due process. 

This order was later blocked by a federal court, and although President Joe Biden paused the aggressive policy after taking office, his administration has now enacted new legislation aiming for similar results.

The recent legislation, part of a significant foreign aid package supporting Israel and Ukraine, was passed in April 2024, giving ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok or see it removed from US app stores. 

TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has openly opposed the legislation, pledging to fight against what he describes as a definitive ban. "Make no mistake, this is a ban, a ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice,” Chew stated in an April 24 TikTok. 

He emphasized the disconnect between political statements and the legislative actions aimed at shutting down the platform.

He expressed disappointment but remained hopeful, stressing the importance of user voices and the platform’s intention to stay operational.

This unfolding saga comes amid persistent accusations from US officials that TikTok could serve as a conduit for Chinese surveillance, a claim both the company and the Chinese government have repeatedly denied, asserting there is no evidence to support such allegations.