The White House officially joined TikTok on Tuesday, launching its first account despite uncertainty over the platform’s future in the United States. The move comes as the Trump administration continues to weigh a possible sale or ban of the app.
The administration’s debut video carried the caption, “America, we are BACK! What’s up TikTok?” The 27-second clip quickly gained attention, collecting nearly 4,500 followers within the first hour.
TikTok, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, remains at the center of political debate in Washington. Concerns over national security and foreign influence have fueled repeated calls for regulation.
Trump’s Shifting Stance on TikTok
Under a law passed in 2023, TikTok was required to sell to a non-Chinese buyer or face a U.S. ban. The original deadline was set for January 19, 2025, just before Donald Trump’s return to the presidency.
However, after taking office, Trump extended the deadline by 90 days, pushing the new cutoff to mid-September. Once a strong supporter of banning TikTok, Trump changed his approach during the 2024 campaign, recognizing the platform’s influence among younger voters.
Social Media Strategy in Focus
TikTok is one of the world’s biggest social networks, with nearly two billion users worldwide. Trump himself has 110.1 million followers on TikTok, although his last post came on Election Day in November 2024.
For comparison, Trump’s following includes 108.5 million on X (formerly Twitter) and 10.6 million on his own platform, Truth Social. The White House accounts on X and Instagram have more modest numbers, with 2.4 million and 9.3 million followers respectively.
What Lies Ahead
The launch of an official White House TikTok account highlights how central the app has become in American politics. Still, its long-term future depends on Trump’s decision when the September deadline arrives. Until then, TikTok will remain both a political tool and a target of scrutiny.
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