On the eve of his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump delivered a celebratory speech at a MAGA victory rally, revealing details of a deal that prevented the ban of TikTok in the U.S.
During the rally, Trump took credit for bringing TikTok back to the U.S. after the app had gone dark just hours earlier.
The deal, which Trump hailed as a “win-win for America,” ensures that TikTok remains operational under new conditions that benefit both the U.S. economy and national interests.
Trump’s TikTok Election Strategy
Reflecting on his campaign’s success, Trump credited TikTok as a key tool in securing an unprecedented victory among younger voters, a demographic traditionally difficult for Republicans to reach.
“We won the youth vote by 36 points,” Trump declared, emphasizing how the platform’s popularity helped mobilize younger voters. “Republicans have never won the youth vote… Romney lost it by 40 points not so long ago. We won it by 36. That’s a very big spread.”
However, a fact check by the news desk revealed that while Trump did see a significant increase in the number of young voters, the general youth vote still favored Kamala Harris by 52% to 46%. Trump’s share of the youth vote rose from 35% to 46%.
TikTok’s Role in Trump’s Campaign
During the rally, Trump shared that his campaign hired “TikTok Jack,” a 21-year-old advisor, to help engage younger audiences through the app.
He highlighted how TikTok’s cultural relevance and reach were crucial in connecting with the younger generation.
The Deal to Save TikTok
Amidst the growing tensions in the U.S.-China relationship, President Trump had threatened to ban TikTok over national security concerns. Addressing TikTok’s fate, Trump explained that Congress had given him the authority to negotiate deals involving foreign-owned companies, a power he used to broker a joint venture.
Under the agreement, American interests will own 50% of TikTok, allowing the platform to continue operating in the U.S. while ensuring that economic benefits flow back to the U.S.
“Without my approval… they’re worth nothing. If I do approve, they’re worth like $1 trillion,” Trump said. “So I said, I’ll approve, but let the United States of America own 50% of TikTok.”
Trump stressed that the deal carries no financial risk for the U.S. government. The U.S. would only grant operational approval, while TikTok and its stakeholders would handle all monetary aspects.
Trump also noted that American companies or individuals with vested interests would soon begin bidding for 50% of ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.
TikTok Announces Return to the U.S.
The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd, many of whom cheered for TikTok’s return and the economic promise tied to the deal.
Experts believe the move could boost confidence in the U.S. tech sector while strengthening ties between the government and younger voters.
While full details of the joint venture are yet to be revealed, Trump’s approval ensures TikTok’s place in the U.S. market under unprecedented terms, with a significant share of its profits expected to benefit the American people.
