Joe Biden slammed as his team launches TikTok account despite POTUS expressing security concerns over app
WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden’s campaign team has recently announced their decision to establish a presence on the social media platform TikTok, despite the President's misgivings regarding the Chinese social media app's potential national security implications.
The President's new account posted an inaugural video on Sunday, February 11, in which he offered his views on the recent Super Bowl, having declined an invitation to be interviewed by CBS ahead of the event, according to DailyMail.
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TikTok, which is typically favored by younger audiences for news and entertainment, represents a potentially valuable resource for the 81-year-old incumbent as he seeks to broaden his appeal and connect with voters across a wide range of demographic groups ahead of the November elections.
What did Biden’s debut video on the app entail?
President Biden’s account on the short-form video platform, TikTok, posted his debut video with the caption, “Lol hey guys.”
In response to the question of which team to pick for the Super Bowl—the 49ers or the Chiefs—Biden stated that both teams had competent quarterbacks.
Hey by the way, we just joined TikTok
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) February 12, 2024
Follow us: https://t.co/KbtdOh2O4a pic.twitter.com/vDeXUzhb9W
The commander-in-chief replied, “If I didn't say I was for the Eagles then I'd be sleeping alone, my wife's a Philly girl.”
When asked to pick between NFL brothers Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce, Biden said, "Mama Kelce, I understand she makes great chocolate chip cookies."
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Joe Biden's fresh new perspective for introducing a campaign account on TikTok has emphasized his team's efforts to engage with younger voters, despite concerns regarding the platform’s national security.
The US federal government has expressed apprehensions that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, may have the ability to share data with the Chinese government.
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These concerns led President Biden to prohibit the use of TikTok on devices used by the Federal government in December 2022.
In May of the same year, the Biden administration warned that unless ByteDance, the Chinese parent company, divested its stake in the US version of the app, TikTok could face a ban.
Despite these warnings, the app has been more popular than ever and has since not been banned.
The US remains unclear about what to do with TikTok
“Well, that - the answer, I'm not sure. I know I don't have it on my phone,” Biden said in response to a reporter's question in February of last year about whether he believed the app should be prohibited in the US.
During the presidency of Donald Trump, an attempt was made to impose a ban on the social media app.
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However, the courts intervened and prevented the ban from being implemented, citing the lack of emergency sanction authorities with the president.
The legal authorities ruled in favor of the app, thereby allowing it to continue its operations without any hindrance.
The White House has since exhibited a proactive approach to engaging with TikTok influencers, even recruiting the help of approximately one hundred popular influencers to disseminate their message to young voters.
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President Biden himself interviewed with TikTok influencer Daniel Mac at the Detroit Auto Show and also featured in TikTok videos alongside the Jonas Brothers.
In June 2022, the White House greeted TikTok star Benny Drama, who produced a video wherein he pretended to be a White House intern for White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, as part of their promotional campaign for the coronavirus vaccines.
Additionally, TikTok climate activist Alex Haraus disclosed that he personally met with White House officials, wherein he urged them to halt the export of liquified natural gas.
That request unfortunately fell on deaf ears as the current administration ultimately announced their decision to do so earlier this month.
Internet slammed Biden for stepping into TikTok to gain votes
People on X ripped the 81-year-old incumbent president for making a campaign account on the short-form video app after admonishing the use of said platform throughout his term at the White House citing security concerns.
Hey by the way, we just joined TikTok
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) February 12, 2024
Follow us: https://t.co/KbtdOh2O4a pic.twitter.com/vDeXUzhb9W
One X user remarked, "No. All of this is a no."
Another user said, "Lmao he signs a ban on an app because he thinks it’s dangerous then joins the app because he thinks it will bring in voters You just can’t make this stuff up."
Lmao he signs a ban on an app because he thinks it’s dangerous then joins the app because he thinks it will bring in voters 🤣🤣🤣
— democrat no more (@WalkFromDems) February 12, 2024
You just can’t make this stuff up 🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/FQQyepiabA
A user wrote, "You can’t hide how you didn’t do a real Super Bowl interview…"
You can’t hide how you didn’t do a real Super Bowl interview…
— Rebecca Downs🇺🇸🟦🇮🇱 (@RebeccaRoseGold) February 12, 2024
Another one asked, "Is this on a federal government device?"
Another X user quipped: "The CCP is grateful."
One more user tweeted, "So let me get this straight. TikTok is so dangerous US military members can’t have it on their phones, and it is a violation of federal law for a government contractor to have it on their phones… but if you do it… cool cool."
So let me get this straight. TikTok is so dangerous US military members can’t have it on their phones, and it is a violation of federal law for a government contractor to have it on their phones… but if you do it… cool cool
— Voödoo 6 von Inyanga (@6Voodoo) February 12, 2024
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