US White House Launches Official TikTok Account Amid Ongoing Ownership Controversy
In a surprise move, the White House has launched an official account on TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by China-based internet company ByteDance. The account, which debuted with a 27-second clip captioned “America, we are BACK! What’s up TikTok?”, had garnered approximately 4,500 followers within an hour of posting.
Notably, President Donald Trump’s personal TikTok account has a substantial following of 110.1 million users, despite his last post dating back to November 5, 2024 – Election Day. The Republican leader has been known for his fondness for the platform, which boasts almost two billion global users.
The White House’s foray into TikTok comes despite a federal law requiring the app’s sale or ban on national security grounds. Initially set to take effect on January 20, the ban was put on pause by Trump, whose 2024 election campaign relied heavily on social media. In mid-June, the President extended the deadline for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the United States by another 90 days. This extension is set to expire in mid-September.
Interestingly, Trump had previously supported a ban or divestment of TikTok but reversed his stance after attributing his success among young voters in the November election to the platform. The President’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) has 108.5 million followers, while his favoured social media outlet, Truth Social, which he owns, has 10.6 million followers.
The White House’s decision to join TikTok has sparked interest, given the ongoing controversy surrounding the app’s ownership. As the US government navigates the complexities of social media and national security, the launch of the official White House TikTok account is seen as a significant development in the ever-evolving landscape of digital diplomacy.
