Former President Donald Trump reiterated his belief that TikTok poses a national security risk but expressed opposition to banning the app due to concerns about boosting its competitor, Facebook. In an interview, Trump highlighted the popularity of TikTok among young users and the potential impact of a ban on them.
Trump criticized Facebook, labeling it as an 'enemy of the people' and expressing discontent with its role in the 2020 election. He raised issues about Facebook's size and influence, particularly in the context of elections.
The discussion around TikTok has become a focal point in the 2024 presidential campaign, with both parties aiming to engage younger voters who form a significant portion of the platform's user base. President Joe Biden's campaign recently joined TikTok despite his own national security concerns and support for legislation that could lead to TikTok's ban.
The proposed bill, which has garnered bipartisan support, calls for ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok or face a potential U.S. ban. Trump's previous attempts to ban TikTok through executive orders were thwarted by legal challenges.
Trump emphasized the need to protect Americans' privacy and data rights, citing concerns about Chinese-owned companies and their potential ties to the Chinese government. He also highlighted similar issues with other American companies operating in China.
Biden has taken steps to restrict TikTok's use within the federal government and signed an executive order aimed at preventing the transfer of personal data to countries of concern, including China. Allegations of data sharing between ByteDance and the Chinese government have raised national security alarms, although TikTok has denied such claims.
Trump's recent interactions with prominent figures like Elon Musk and his statements on social media platforms reflect his ongoing engagement in political discourse and potential campaign strategies for the upcoming election.
