Donald Trump has recently made an appearance on the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, a platform he previously attempted to ban during his time in the White House. He posted from a UFC fight just two days after becoming the first former president and presumptive major party nominee in U.S. history to be found guilty on felony charges.
In a TikTok video, Trump expressed his pleasure at the experience, showing footage of him interacting with fans and taking selfies at the UFC fight in Newark, New Jersey. The video concluded with Trump asking the camera, “That was a good walk-on, right?”
Within a short span, Trump had gained over 1.1 million followers on the platform, and the post had received more than 1 million likes and 24 million views.
Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, stated that joining TikTok was part of the campaign’s strategy to connect with a younger audience and provide pro-Trump and anti-Biden content.
Trump’s appearance at the UFC event garnered an enthusiastic response, with the crowd chanting in support of him and denouncing Biden using an expletive.
Following his recent legal troubles, Trump has continued to make public appearances, using events like UFC fights to appeal to potential voters who may not be actively engaged in politics or traditional news outlets.
Despite previously attempting to ban TikTok citing national security concerns, Trump has now joined the platform, acknowledging its potential outreach to young and diverse voters.
Trump remains critical of TikTok’s security risks but is averse to banning it, as it could benefit rival platforms like Facebook. Biden, on the other hand, signed legislation that could lead to TikTok’s ban in the U.S.
Trump’s reelection campaign has embraced TikTok as part of its media strategy, aiming to reach voters through various platforms including TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
In a recent interview, Trump addressed the possibility of facing jail time, maintaining his innocence and expressing confidence in the public’s support for him despite his legal troubles.
Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, has been handling the situation, although it has been challenging for her to navigate the media coverage surrounding his trial.
Colvin reported from Annapolis, Maryland, Weissert from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Kinnard from Chapin, South Carolina.
