Let’s unpack the TikTok ban scam. This is unbelievably dishonest and cynical.
By the time you read this, Donald Trump may have already issued an executive order pushing back the US ban on TikTok by 90 days. But what’s really been going on here?
Trump was the person who first demanded a ban more than two years ago. Here’s proof.
Remember these stories?
And here’s a supercut video of Trump yelling about TikTok.
A montage of Trump repeatedly bragging about banning TikTok is now surfacing online.
— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) January 19, 2025
Can’t make this up. pic.twitter.com/ilIpiXIPkm
Second, when it came time to vote on the ban, Republicans cast more yes votes than Democracts.
TikTok did not have to shut down today. Joe Biden had already said on his way out that he wasn’t going to enforce the ban. Hold that thought.
Meanwhile, the CEO of TikTok, Shou Chew, met with Trump to discuss the situation. Not only was he invited to the inauguration, but TikTok also made a donation to Trump and the GOP.As this was happening, TikTok played along, working up American users into a forth. “The government is going to ban your favourite app!”
Over the weekend, as the ban inched closer after the Supreme Court ruling against TikTok, the compay posted this. Remember: They didn’t have to shut down yet and Biden didn’t enforce any ban. Note the second paragraph.
But then that message changed pretty quick.
this is literally a stunt all planned by trump. look at how the message changed within 20 mins…. trump is gonna come in office and play savior by unbanning the app to get more sympathy and likes from the public. do not fall for this bs. #tiktokban pic.twitter.com/EAoPGYF6M4
— amaya ❦ (@amxya17__) January 19, 2025
Now Trump is all lovely-dovey with TikTok. Look at this. Note the last paragraph.
That’s right. Trump’s plan is for the US GOVERNMENT to have a 50% stake in TikTok, turning it into an arm of the state. State media, in other words. This will allow Trump and his billionaire buddies to control the previously uncontrollable narrative on TikTok for their own purposes. How is this different from RT? As one person on X put it, “What is socialism, if not control of the memes of production.” Clever.
Funny now by noon on Sunday, TikTok was back online.
Trump will position himself as the saviour of TikTok in an attempt to ingratiate himself to 170 million users. This was all orchestrated from the beginning. Watch MAGA jump all over this with hallelujahs and hosannas. (Okay, maybe not all of them. At least for the moment.)
And please don’t get me started on Trump’s new crypto grift. Remember this?
