In a surprising move, US President Joe Biden made his belated debut on the popular social media platform TikTok on Sunday, sharing a light-hearted 26-second video. The president’s entrance onto the platform comes amidst ongoing criticism of TikTok’s security and its alleged ties to the Chinese government.
TikTok, owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, has been under intense scrutiny from both Republican lawmakers and the Biden administration. Accusations have been leveled against the platform, claiming it serves as a tool for Chinese propaganda, allegations firmly denied by the company.
In his inaugural TikTok video posted on the @bidenhq campaign account, the 81-year-old Democratic president jovially touched upon various topics, including politics and the NFL championship game. When asked to choose between watching the Super Bowl or its famed halftime show headlined by singer Usher, Biden opted for the game itself.
Responding to a humorous query about a supposed conspiracy involving pop star Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce endorsing Biden, Biden jokingly leaned into the unfounded right-wing theory. “I’d get in trouble if I told you,” he quipped.
Despite Biden’s foray onto TikTok, concerns over security persist. Numerous individual states and the federal government have prohibited the app’s use on official government devices, citing potential security risks. A recent attempt by the Montana state government to enforce a complete ban on the app was halted by a judge.
While TikTok remains under Washington’s scrutiny, it appears that further federal action to ban or restrict the platform is not currently underway. “It seems now like the idea of a ban was being pushed more so to make political points and less as a serious effort to legislate,” remarked David Greene, a civil liberties attorney, in an interview with The Guardian.
With the upcoming election, TikTok serves as a vital conduit to engage with young voters, highlighting its significance amidst the broader political landscape.
