White Home Joins TikTok a Month Earlier than It is Set to Be Banned

So much can change in a yr — simply ask TikTok.

Final yr, the US authorities took the extraordinary step of voting to ban the favored app utilized by tens of millions of People, citing nationwide safety issues.

On Tuesday, the White Home grew to become its newest consumer.

The White Home TikTok account launched with a video montage of President Donald Trump narrated by the person himself.

“Daily I get up decided to ship a greater life for the folks all throughout this nation,” Trump says over pictures of him with UFC head Dana White, regulation enforcement officers, and American staff. “I’m your voice!”

The account’s second submit featured numerous pictures of the White Home throughout totally different seasons.

The White Home joined the app lower than a month earlier than it is set to be banned within the US on September 17 until it is offered to a US purchaser, although that deadline has already been prolonged a number of instances.

“The Trump administration is dedicated to speaking the historic successes President Trump has delivered to the American folks with as many audiences and platforms as potential,” Karoline Leavitt, White Home press secretary, mentioned in an announcement to Enterprise Insider. “President Trump’s message dominated TikTok throughout his presidential marketing campaign, and we’re excited to construct upon these successes and talk in a means no different administration has earlier than.”

The White Home didn’t reply to questions on whether or not the divest-or-ban deadline can be prolonged once more or if a deal was anticipated by the deadline.

Lawmakers in April 2024 voted to ban TikTok until its China-based dad or mum firm, ByteDance, offered its American property. Some officers cited issues that delicate information belonging to American customers may find yourself within the palms of the Chinese language authorities, and members of Congress have mentioned it may very well be used for Chinese language Communist Social gathering propaganda.

TikTok has mentioned it doesn’t share information with the Chinese language authorities.

The TikTok divest-or-ban regulation, signed by President Joe Biden final yr, gave TikTok till January 19 to promote or danger shutting down. The app briefly went darkish that day for US-based customers earlier than coming again on-line, with TikTok crediting Trump for its return.

The White Home has mentioned the president doesn’t need TikTok to go darkish and prefers or not it’s offered. Trump has delayed the divest-or-ban deadline thrice since taking workplace in January.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick instructed CNBC final month that TikTok will go darkish once more until China agrees to a deal that may give People management over the app.

“We have made the choice. You may’t have Chinese language management and have one thing on 100 million American telephones,” Lutnick mentioned, including that China’s resolution can be coming “very quickly.”

TikTok and ByteDance didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark from Enterprise Insider.