Donald Trump has shifted his position on music discovery app TikTok, now opposing US efforts to ban the app and suggesting that such a move would benefit Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook. Despite previously targeting the video-sharing platform during his presidency, Trump now argues against legislative attempts to force TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest ownership. Trump’s opposition, voiced on his Truth Social media platform, coincides with a congressional committee’s unanimous vote to advance a bill targeting TikTok’s ownership. “If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business,” the former President posted.
The bill aims to sever Chinese influence on the app, a move supported by many Republicans, including former Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Quite unbelievable that Donald Trump has sort of come to the rescue of @tiktok_us ?! pic.twitter.com/UNsn6wlRU5
— Zichen Wang (@ZichenWanghere) March 8, 2024
In 2020, Trump threatened to ban TikTok due to mounting pressure on China and concerns over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. He later suggested that TikTok could continue to operate if sold to a US company, a solution mirrored in the current legislative effort. Although Trump’s executive order to force ByteDance to divest TikTok was blocked in court, lawmakers are hopeful that the new bill will overcome legal challenges regarding free speech constraints.
Despite Trump’s opposition, the White House backs the legislation, even as President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign utilizes TikTok. The bill faces an upcoming vote in the full House, with uncertainty surrounding Trump’s influence on Republican lawmakers and the outcome of the vote.
Joe Biden has signaled his intention to sign the bill compelling ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a potential ban of the app. Biden stated this week, “If they pass it, I’ll sign it.” The bill, unanimously approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or risk its removal from app stores and web hosting services. Despite TikTok’s efforts to mobilize users against the bill, it gained traction, with a floor vote scheduled for the following week.
The bill seeks to prevent app stores from distributing TikTok unless ByteDance divests its stake within six months of the bill’s enactment. Lawmakers emphasize that the app can continue to operate if its ties to China are severed, rejecting TikTok’s claims of an outright ban. Concerns over Chinese ownership persist among US security professionals, who fear potential access to Americans’ personal data and interference in democratic processes. Despite TikTok’s denial of Chinese influence, security officials and lawmakers remain skeptical, pointing to instances where ByteDance employees in China accessed American user data.
