TikTok receives a friendly reception at the White House as Trump momentarily postpones the enforced sale of the platform
In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to temporarily delay the enforcement of a federal law that could have led to the sale or ban of TikTok on national security grounds. This decision grants his administration 75 days to consult with advisors and seek a resolution that would protect U.S. national security while keeping TikTok available for its American users.
The social media platform, owned by China-based internet company ByteDance, had been under scrutiny due to concerns over data privacy and potential national security risks. However, Trump's decision to allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States marks a significant shift in his stance on the issue.
The White House launched its official TikTok account on Tuesday, with the first post being a 27-second clip. The account quickly gained traction, amassing about 4,500 followers an hour after posting the video. In comparison, Trump's personal TikTok account boasts an impressive 110.1 million followers, making him one of the most influential figures on the platform.
Trump's affinity for TikTok is not new. Despite initially supporting a ban or divestment of the app, he later vowed to defend the platform after believing it helped him win young voters' support in the November election. His preference for TikTok over other social media platforms is evident, with his account on Truth Social, a platform he launched after being permanently banned from Twitter, having only 10.6 million followers.
The White House's TikTok account is not the only official government account on the platform. The official White House account on Instagram, for instance, has 9.3 million followers, while Trump's official account on the former Twitter (now X) has 108.5 million followers, highlighting the growing importance of social media in political discourse.
Trump's decision to allow TikTok to operate without immediate shutdown, despite scrutiny and without facing legal challenges, indicates an ongoing effort to manage the balance between national security concerns and public access to the platform. This move represents a strong stance against arbitrary censorship and is framed as supporting the First Amendment.
As the 75-day consultation period progresses, the fate of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain. However, for now, millions of American users and small businesses relying on the platform can continue to use it, thanks to Trump's executive order.
[1] The New York Times, "Trump Delays TikTok Ban, Giving Himself More Time to Review Deal," 19 January 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/technology/trump-tiktok-ban-delay.html
[2] The Washington Post, "Trump extends TikTok ban deadline as administration seeks deal to protect U.S. national security," 14 June 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/06/14/trump-tiktok-ban-deadline/
[3] CNN, "Trump extends TikTok ban deadline, giving himself more time to review deal," 14 June 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/14/tech/tiktok-trump-deadline-extended/index.html
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