'I Did A Little TikTok Thing': How Donald Trump's 21-Year-Old 'TikTok Jack' Helped Him Win Youth Vote
“Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it,” Trump stated at a rally. Highlighting TikTok’s reach among 170 million US users, Trump emphasised the importance of preserving American jobs.
President-elect Donald Trump "likes" TikTok, and there's a good reason for it. The US President-elect announced plans on Sunday to issue an executive order granting ByteDance, TikTok's China-based parent company, additional time to secure a US-approved buyer for the popular video-sharing app. The announcement, made on Trump's Truth Social account, came as TikTok resumed operations in the United States following a temporary suspension that left millions unable to access the platform.
TikTok confirmed that access for US users was being restored after less than 24 hours of downtime. The company credited Trump’s commitment to pausing the app's ban via executive order as he takes office.
“Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it,” Trump stated at a rally ahead of his inauguration. Highlighting TikTok’s reach among 170 million US users, Trump emphasised the importance of preserving American jobs and ensuring the app remains free from foreign control. He suggested forming a joint venture with at least 50 per cent US ownership to safeguard national interests while maintaining TikTok’s presence.
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How Did Trump Leverage TikTok?
During the rally, Trump also reflected on his own use of the platform, noting its role in Republican outreach to younger voters. “We won the youth vote by 36 points. So I like TikTok,” he remarked.
Speaking at a rally, Trump said, "TikTok is back." He revealed that his team, led by a 21-year-old nicknamed 'TikTok Jack,' leveraged the platform to engage younger audiences.
"You know, I did a little TikTok thing. We have a guy, TikTok Jack. He's a young kid, like 21 years old. We hired this guy and I went on TikTok. We went on TikTok as Republicans never won the youth vote. They won a lot of votes, but they never won the youth vote. But we won the youth vote by 36 points. So I like TikTok," Trump said.
Acknowledging concerns about TikTok's ownership and national security, Trump addressed its future in the US He proposed a solution where the United States would own 50 per cent of the platform. "We have to protect jobs and ensure American interests are prioritised," he said, describing a potential joint venture model. "This way, TikTok will have US ownership and bring in strong partners through a fair bidding process."
The comments reignite debates on balancing tech innovation, national security, and youth outreach in politics.
TikTok Welcomes Support
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok thanked Trump for providing clarity to service providers and ensuring the app remains operational for its millions of users and the 7 million small businesses that rely on it.
STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:
— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025
In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170…
Complex Path Ahead For TikTok
Trump’s order aims to delay the ban and shield companies that facilitated TikTok’s continued operation from potential penalties. The incoming president hopes to finalise a joint venture deal that aligns with US interests, though ByteDance has previously resisted selling the platform.
The executive order follows bipartisan legislation passed in April granting the president authority to extend the ban deadline if negotiations for a sale are progressing. While several investors have expressed interest in TikTok, specifics about ownership remain unclear. Trump’s remarks suggested the United States, either through government or private entities, could take a 50 per cent stake.
TikTok’s statement of gratitude comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. Trump has signalled plans to impose tariffs on China while expressing interest in direct engagement with Chinese leadership.
In response to the developments, the Chinese Embassy in Washington accused the US of leveraging state power to suppress Chinese companies. “China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” a spokesperson said, as reported by Reuters.
As Trump prepares for his inauguration on Monday, his approach to TikTok marks an early test of balancing economic security, diplomatic challenges, and digital innovation.
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