Trump takes credit for saving TikTok, but experts call it a calculated 'PR stunt'

TikTok’s shutdown either came down to corporate incompetence or a PR stunt to encourage panic,” says Joel Thayer.

Donald Trump is once again at the center of controversy, this time celebrating his role in saving TikTok, but many social media users are skeptical, accusing both Trump and the app of orchestrating a PR stunt.

Speaking during a victory rally on Sunday, Trump took to the stage and claimed credit for keeping TikTok afloat. The 47th President proudly announced that his intervention was essential to prevent the popular social media platform from being banned in the U.S.

“TikTok needs federal approval … and they won’t get it without joint ownership,” Trump said, emphasizing his role in forcing ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, into a deal involving shared control. He added that the app’s continued operation was vital to protect jobs.

“I used TikTok to win the 2024 election,” Trump also noted, highlighting his success in gaining support from younger voters, particularly those aged 18-29. His assertion that TikTok helped him secure the youth vote resonated with many, as he indeed garnered a larger share of younger voters compared to Kamala Harris.

While Trump and some of his supporters are hailing the reversal as a victory, many on social media are calling the entire episode a well-executed PR move.

 

 

 

 

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“TikTok’s early shutdown either came down to corporate incompetence or a deliberate PR stunt to encourage a manufactured sense of panic,” said Joel Thayer, president of the Digital Progress Institute. “Given its waffling, I’m assuming it’s the latter.”

The controversy deepened with online users pointing out that the app’s shutdown lasted only a brief 12 hours, prompting suspicions about its timing. Critics also noted the close relationship between Trump and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, who is scheduled to attend Trump's inauguration.

It's also worth noting that Trump was a strong advocate for banning TikTok back in 2020 due to national security concerns, only to make a sharp U-turn in his stance now.

The temporary ban on TikTok was swiftly reversed after Trump promised to extend a moratorium on the ban with an executive order. As of now, American users can once again post videos on the platform, leaving many to question if this was a calculated move for political gain.

At the time of writing, both Trump and TikTok have yet to respond to the growing criticism surrounding the matter.