How TikTok is Helping Elect Trump

The social media site is becoming a hot bed for pro-Trump messaging

One of the rules in the Obama White House was not to walk into the Oval Office with a problem without a proposed solution.

Well, I’m about to violate that rule.

Every few elections, a new technology or platform sneaks up on the older, less tech-savvy folks in the upper echelons of politics and media and becomes the key battleground. In 2008, it was Facebook. In 2012, it was Twitter. In 2024, it’s TikTok.

That’s a big problem for Democrats. And is especially worrying for Joe Biden.

I am not referring to the social media platform’s close relationship with the Chinese government or the real risk that relationship poses to our data and privacy. Although, those are very serious concerns.

TikTok is not new or covert in its methods. Earlier this year, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, legislation forcing TikTok’s parent company to sell the platform or face a ban. It’s by far the fastest-growing social media platform in the world. However, its impact on this election is still under-discussed. Consider how much time is spent discussing how Elon Musk ruined Twitter and various New York Times journalistic misdeeds.

1. Who Uses TikTok?

In terms of total users, TikTok is much smaller than YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Heck, according to the most recent Pew Research study of social media use, it barely beats LinkedIn.

However, there are two reasons that TikTok punches above its weight in terms of political impact. First, TikTok users are disproportionately young; 62% of U.S. adults 18-29 use TikTok. These younger voters will ultimately decide the election. They are part of the anti-MAGA coalition Biden has struggled with the most, and to win, he needs to persuade more of them to return to his column.

Second, and more concerning, TikTok is becoming a major news source for Americans. According to Pew, the number of Americans who regularly get their news from TikTok has doubled since 2020; this includes a third of Americans under the age of 30. This growth starkly contrasts with other platforms, which are becoming less and less places where people go to get their news.