Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that TikTok played a key role in his election victory. He said his popularity on the Chinese-owned social media platform demonstrated its effectiveness despite persistent national security concerns in Washington.
Speaking at the White House after the launch of the “Trump Accounts” investment program, Trump said he had become the platform’s most-followed political figure and questioned whether it posed the threat some critics have claimed.
“I’m number one on TikTok by far,” Trump said. “I think, if you want to know the truth, it helped me win the election by a landslide.”
His comments came when he was asked about discussions about TikTok’s future in the United States and whether American investors should own the platform.
Trump acknowledged that many policymakers have expressed concerns about the app due to its Chinese ownership.
He said, “I was watching a show this morning… They were talking about the dangers of TikTok, and it’s Chinese.” “The whole spying thing.”
But he questioned that logic, pointing to his popularity on the platform.
Trump said, “If they’re having such a bad impact… I’m saying things like, ‘I love my country… We’re going to do a lot.'”
The president said that recent audience rankings showed him ahead of celebrities on the platform.
“The numbers just came out,” he said. “Taylor Swift was number 11. I’m number one.”
Trump also revealed that he had discussed TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and said he supports efforts to bring the platform under American ownership.
“I called President Xi,” Trump said. “I said… it’s good for TikTok, but it’s also good for us that American companies, big companies, own our TikTok.”
While acknowledging that China remains “a major competitor,” Trump suggested that the debate over TikTok should be viewed in light of its growing popularity among American users.
“I’m hearing this… we have to stop TikTok,” he said. “I’m number one on TikTok.”
