UPDATE: In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump declared his fondness for TikTok during a press conference on November 2, 2023, in the United Kingdom. This statement comes after he previously labeled the app a national security threat during his presidency.
Speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump acknowledged TikTok’s significant role in his 2024 campaign strategy, stating, “I like TikTok. It helped get me elected.” He revealed plans to discuss potential agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding TikTok’s American operations. Trump emphasized that the app holds “tremendous value” for engaging young voters.
This shift in Trump’s position is notable, especially given his past actions. In 2020, he signed an executive order threatening to ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, did not divest its American operations. At that time, Trump described the app as a serious risk, citing its data practices and potential for espionage.
During the press conference, Trump credited slain Republican activist Charlie Kirk for urging his campaign to leverage TikTok. He stated, “We did unbelievably well with youth, like at a level that no Republican has ever even dreamt of.” His current comments could have significant implications for the app’s future in the U.S., where enforcement of a pending ban has been delayed until December 16, 2024, as negotiations continue.
The former president’s remarks came amid ongoing discussions about TikTok’s status in the U.S. market, which has been a contentious issue since his administration. Recently, Trump ordered the Department of Justice to pause enforcement of the ban while a deal is negotiated to transfer control of the platform to American ownership.
Trump’s press conference also included his controversial claims about the 2020 election, where he maintained, “We won in 2020, big,” despite losing to current President Joe Biden. This statement reflects ongoing tensions within U.S. politics and Trump’s refusal to concede the election results.
In response to questions about illegal migration in the U.K., Trump linked it to his motivation for launching his third presidential campaign, further fueling discussions about immigration policy on both sides of the Atlantic.
Additionally, Trump faced inquiries regarding Lord Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to Washington, who was recently dismissed due to connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein. Trump claimed ignorance of Mandelson, stating, “I don’t know him,” despite photographic evidence of their prior interactions.
As negotiations regarding TikTok’s future unfold, Trump’s comments today may reshape public perception and political discourse surrounding the platform. The implications of his statements are likely to resonate not only in the U.S. but also with international audiences closely monitoring this evolving situation.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
