TikTok Ban: A Political Ploy

Courtesy of Solen Feyissa

On Jan. 19, TikTok users were met with a message in the app warning them that the platform would soon be shut down due to U.S. government actions. Yet, only twelve hours after the ban, TikTok suddenly returned—and in an unexpected twist, the app issued a message thanking Donald Trump, even though he was the one who had pushed for the ban in the first place. Even more bizarrely, this message appeared the day before Trump was even back in office. This raised the question to millions: What was happening behind the scenes? Was Trump or his allies negotiating with TikTok privately while publicly maintaining a tough stance? The secrecy surrounding these backdoor dealings only adds to the suspicion that this was more about power and control than security.

In 2020, Trump issued an executive order attempting to ban TikTok under the guise of protecting American data from the Chinese Communist Party. His executive order led to legal battles, temporary deals, and eventually, the proposal that an American company, such as Microsoft, acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations. The move was largely seen as an attempt to rally anti-China sentiment while simultaneously forcing TikTok to sell to an American company.

Trump also claimed that TikTok had mishandled information about COVID-19, a statement that lacked credible evidence and was widely seen as an attempt to justify his push for a ban. The app had been a major source of information and discussion during the pandemic, often contradicting his administration’s messaging. Many saw his attack on TikTok as yet another example of his hostility toward platforms that allowed narratives outside of his control.

However, when the courts blocked his ban and negotiations stalled during the Biden administration, Trump pivoted. Instead of outright eliminating the app, he changed his stance to make it seem as if was in favor of the app and would try to work to keep it running. The reality? He had manufactured widespread chaos to ultimately position himself as the savior.

Trump’s true motives in the TikTok ban become even more apparent when viewed alongside his broader economic policies. His administration consistently pushes to give American companies dominance over global markets, even at the expense of American consumers’ pockets. The TikTok ban fits neatly into this pattern. Suppose Trump’s concerns had truly been about national security. Then why was his proposed solution to force a sale to a U.S. company rather than address data privacy regulations across all platforms?

Fast forward to 2025, and the Biden administration carried out what Trump had initially set in motion. This time, the Supreme Court upheld the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, forcing TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell or face an outright ban. While national security was again cited as the justification, the underlying motives remained: control over digital influence and a push to shift power toward American corporations.

It’s important to note that Trump is not the only one who has believed TikTok to be a threat. Many lawmakers, including both Republicans and Democrats, have voiced concerns over the app’s ties to China. Ultimately, it was Biden who officially signed the ban into effect. However, the irony remains that Trump, who initiated the push for a ban, then turned around and made his own TikTok account to promote his 2024 campaign. If the app was truly such a security risk, why would he use it to engage with voters? His actions only further support that the TikTok debate was always more about political strategy than genuine security concerns

The government’s official stance is that TikTok’s data collection practices pose a national security risk. But if security were truly the concern, why not regulate all social media platforms with similar scrutiny? Facebook, Instagram, X, and more collect massive amounts of user data, and they have all faced allegations of mishandling personal information. Yet, these American-owned tech giants are rarely threatened with bans.

The difference? Control. The U.S. government doesn’t want an influential platform like TikTok operating outside its corporate and political influence. TikTok’s algorithm is arguably the most powerful content recommendation system today, shaping public discourse, cultural trends, and even elections. If an American company controlled it, the government would have a much easier time exerting influence over its operations. Conveniently after Trump managed a negotiation with TikTok, users noticed that hashtags that criticized Trump, Elon Musk, and Facebook were all hidden in America, while ones criticizing Democrats were still visible. Hm….

The ban was never truly about security—the goal was always to transfer control from a foreign company to an American one. In the process, politicians like Trump used it as a tool for personal gain, reinforcing a cycle where the public is led to believe in crises that serve only to benefit the powerful. Classic manipulation tactic.