USA Trump Taps TikTok for Campaign, White House Opens Account

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On Tuesday, the White House ventured into the TikTok phenomenon by launching its own account, sparking discussions about the app's future. With US President Donald Trump driving the charge, the venture comes as he seeks to divest the app's operations from Chinese giant ByteDance Ltd.

 

The inaugural video showcases US President Trump and senior officials like Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, urging audiences to tag along. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that this move underscores Trump’s dedication to showcasing his triumphs across diverse platforms.

 

Interestingly, Trump's stance on TikTok has evolved dramatically. Recently emerging as a key asset in his campaign strategy, Trump has hailed the app for rallying young voters. This marks a shift from his earlier attempts to ban the app unless ByteDance relinquished US operations, initially citing data security concerns.

 

During Joe Biden's previous administration, legislation passed compelling a sale of TikTok’s US segment. However, Trump has delayed these provisions, pursuing a more favourable agreement. This development has raised questions about the legal complexities surrounding the ban on TikTok for government devices, which were regulated during Biden’s tenure.

 

Previously, TikTok use was proscribed for officials, including White House personnel, on government gadgets. Yet, Trump’s team circumvented this with personal devices to establish a campaign presence on the app.

 

In a twist of events in June, Trump hinted at having a potential buyer but acknowledged the need for approvals from Beijing and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump remarked on Fox News, “We have a buyer for TikTok... I think China approval is necessary.”

 

Earlier this year, prospects of a deal appeared promising with a powerful consortium featuring Oracle Corp., Blackstone Inc., and Andreessen Horowitz at the helm. However, Trump claims his tariffs on Chinese imports have muddied these negotiations.

 

With a looming September 17 deadline set by Trump's executive order, ByteDance is currently under pressure, despite the recurring theme of extensions. As the deadline draws closer, everyone's attention is riveted to the unfolding cross-continental dance between political manoeuvres and business interests, leaving everyone in suspense.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bloomberg, CNBC 2025-08-21

 

[Tug]

Wonder how much bit coin they are pushing his way.bet hey it will be fun to watch the trump cartoons on tic tok…..