President Joe Biden’s use of TikTok during a campaign stop in Michigan has raised questions about the administration’s stance on the app. Despite an ongoing effort to ban TikTok in the U.S., the Biden campaign has actively engaged with the platform, recognizing its influence among young voters.
The ban stems from concerns over TikTok’s ownership by the Chinese company ByteDance, with critics arguing that Beijing could gain access to American data and influence narratives. However, the administration’s support for the ban contradicts its own campaign’s embrace of the platform.
According to Rob Flaherty, deputy manager of Biden’s reelection campaign, the fragmentation of the modern media landscape necessitates meeting voters where they are. TikTok has become a significant source of news, particularly for younger Americans, and the campaign has sought to connect with potential supporters through the app.
While the campaign has produced its own TikTok content, it has also relied on everyday users to engage with the president. Videos of Biden interacting with ordinary citizens, such as a family sharing fries with him, have been shared widely on the platform.
Opponents of the TikTok ban argue that it violates the First Amendment and unnecessarily restricts individual choice. Former President Donald Trump, despite previously issuing an executive order attempting to ban the app, now opposes such a move.
Despite the White House’s ban on TikTok on government devices, the Biden campaign joined the platform during this year’s Super Bowl and has hosted numerous influencer events, including a White House Christmas party and a State of the Union watch party.
According to a Pew Research Center study, about a third of Americans under 30 regularly get news from TikTok, significantly more than the general adult population. Additionally, a recent poll found that young adults are more likely than older adults to oppose a TikTok ban.
The Biden campaign’s engagement with TikTok while simultaneously supporting its ban has drawn criticism from some influencers, such as Kahlil Greene, who has over 650,000 followers and is known as the “Gen Z Historian.” Greene argues that it highlights the administration’s hypocrisy and undermines its credibility among young voters who rely on the platform for information.
Despite Flaherty’s belief that TikTok will not be a major factor in Election Day results, Greene maintains that the ban and the administration’s other perceived shortcomings have alienated young voters, exacerbating existing dissatisfaction.
This complex situation underscores the challenges of navigating social media platforms in the political realm, especially when national security concerns are involved. The Biden administration’s efforts to both use and restrict TikTok demonstrate the ongoing tension between political strategy, public opinion, and national security interests.
