Former President Donald Trump has recently joined the video-sharing app TikTok, a platform he previously attempted to ban while in office. Shortly after being the first former president in U.S. history to be found guilty on felony charges, Trump posted a video from a UFC fight.
In the TikTok video, Trump expressed his appreciation, showcasing footage of him interacting with fans at the Ultimate Fighting Championship event in Newark, New Jersey. The video concludes with Trump asking, “That was a good walk-on, right?”
Within a day, Trump gained over 1.1 million followers on TikTok, with his post receiving more than 1 million likes and 24 million views. Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, stated that this move was part of the campaign’s efforts to reach a younger audience.
During the fight in Newark, Trump was warmly welcomed by the crowd, who cheered him on and expressed their admiration. This public appearance marked Trump’s first outing since being convicted on multiple charges related to the 2016 election.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has used events like UFC fights to connect with potential voters and project strength. Joining TikTok, which has a large younger user base, is seen as a strategic move to broaden his reach.
While in office, Trump attempted to ban TikTok due to national security concerns, a move that was blocked by the courts. Despite still viewing TikTok as a security threat, Trump opted not to ban it to avoid benefiting its competitor, Facebook.
The legislation signed by President Biden gives ByteDance, TikTok’s owner, a limited time to sell the company before facing a potential ban. Despite the ban on government devices, Biden’s campaign continues to use TikTok and other social media platforms to engage with voters.
Trump’s appearance at the UFC fight and subsequent interview with Fox News reflect his ongoing defiance of the legal proceedings against him, maintaining his innocence and expressing doubt about the public’s acceptance of potential punishment.
As the legal process unfolds, Trump’s actions on platforms like TikTok and appearances in public settings continue to shape the narrative surrounding his involvement in the 2016 election scandal.