Trump Warns Against Banning TikTok, Fearing Strengthened Facebook

Former President Donald Trump, who once sought to ban TikTok, is now warning against banning the app, stating it would only empower Facebook, which he views as the "enemy of the people." Trump expressed concerns that without TikTok, Facebook would grow bigger, a scenario he considers detrimental to the country. The House is considering legislation that would require ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months due to national security worries about potential data sharing with the Chinese government. Despite acknowledging the security issues surrounding TikTok, Trump recognized the app's popularity among users, particularly young people. Recently, TikTok users received notifications urging them to oppose a potential shutdown, leading to an influx of calls to Congress, especially from children. Trump has a history of animosity towards Facebook, now Meta, criticizing its alleged bias against him and disputing its financial support for election processes. Trump previously attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, citing national security concerns related to data collection practices by ByteDance, its Chinese parent company. Although Trump met with a major investor in ByteDance, they did not discuss the TikTok situation. President Biden stated his willingness to sign the legislation on ByteDance and TikTok if passed by Congress, while a Meta spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. Former President Donald Trump, who previously supported banning TikTok, now warns against banning the app, stating that it would only strengthen Facebook, a platform he considers the "enemy of the people." Trump expressed concerns about national security issues related to TikTok as it is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, and data collected by the app could potentially be shared with the Chinese government. Trump acknowledged that while there are security concerns with TikTok, many users, particularly young individuals, enjoy using the platform and would be adversely affected by a ban. Recent efforts in the US House involve legislation that would require ByteDance to sell TikTok within six months due to national security worries, or face removal from US app stores and websites. TikTok users received push notifications urging them to oppose a TikTok shutdown, prompting many, especially children, to contact members of Congress in protest. Trump has a history of grievances against Facebook (now Meta), including disputes over political donations and election-related content, resulting in his suspension from the platform following false claims about the 2020 election. In the past, Trump sought to ban TikTok through an executive order, citing concerns about data collection and potential Chinese government access to personal information. Trump recently met with an investor in ByteDance but stated that TikTok was not discussed in their conversation. President Biden indicated he would sign the legislation mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok if it is approved by Congress. Meta declined to comment on the matter, while Senators Mark Warner and Marco Rubio have labeled TikTok as a national security issue.