DDG claims TikTok ban was Trump’s PR move despite Supreme Court ruling

Rapper DDG alleges Trump used the TikTok ban as PR while the Supreme Court delivered the decisive ruling on the matter

Rapper and influencer DDG claims Trump’s TikTok ban was a PR move rather than a genuine national security effort.

His comments have sparked renewed debate over the motivations behind the controversial ban, which was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court.

The TikTok ban originated during Trump’s presidency, citing concerns over potential data misuse by ByteDance, the Chinese company behind the app. While Trump’s administration initially called for the ban, the Supreme Court solidified its enforcement, ruling in favor of a law requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations or cease services entirely.

DDG says he thinks Donald Trump purposely let TikTok get banned just so he could play the hero and unban it to make more Americans like him 👀pic.twitter.com/v08nmCKwZx

— Viral Hotspot (@cliphotspot) January 19, 2025

DDG’s remarks suggest skepticism about the intent behind Trump’s push for the ban, framing it as a tactic to garner political attention. However, the Supreme Court’s decision reflects bipartisan concerns about protecting U.S. user data from foreign adversaries. The Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed by President Joe Biden, further underscores the government’s commitment to addressing these risks.

With TikTok’s services now suspended for its estimated 170 million U.S. users, influencers and marketers are pivoting to platforms like Instagram and YouTube to sustain their online presence. This shift highlights the broader challenges creators face amid evolving social media regulations.

The ban underscores a delicate balance between safeguarding national security and preserving digital freedom. DDG’s critique taps into a wider conversation about the intersection of technology, politics, and personal expression in the digital age. The ongoing fallout from the TikTok ban is a reminder of the profound impact political decisions can have on the tech landscape and its users.