WASHINGTON ― Donald Trump, the former president, now claims he wants to “save TikTok.” However, in the last months of his tenure in 2020, he attempted to ban the extremely popular video-sharing app.

This shows a marked change as Trump embarks on his second term. Previously, his administration raised alarms about TikTok’s potential to share user data with the Chinese government. Yet now, Trump appears to dismiss these concerns, embracing the platform as a means to connect with younger voters as he seeks to reclaim the presidency.

“I got to use it,” Trump stated during a broad media session in the Oval Office when asked about his transformation regarding TikTok. “And remember, TikTok is mostly about kids, young kids. I don’t know if China getting information about young kids is a major issue. Honestly, I think we have bigger problems to deal with.”

In one of his first actions in office, Trump directed the Justice Department to push back the enforcement of a TikTok ban for 75 days, despite the law being activated that Sunday.

This delay aims to allow the Trump administration “an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward in a systematic manner” that balances national security while avoiding shutting down TikTok, according to the executive order.

TikTok boasts 170 million American users. While signing the order in the White House, Trump downplayed any national security fears and hinted at the U.S. taking ownership of half of TikTok. He also issued a warning about possibly imposing new tariffs on China if it fails to facilitate the sale of assets from ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company located in China, to an American buyer.

“When you look at all the phones and military gear made in China, TikTok is not our biggest issue,” Trump remarked. “If it gets approved, there’s significant value in TikTok. If it doesn’t, then it’s worthless. So if we can create that value, shouldn’t we be entitled to half of it?”

TikTok’s CEO Attends Trump’s Swearing-In Ceremony

Trump’s stance on TikTok today contrasts sharply with his actions from four and a half years ago, when he signed an executive order in August 2020 aimed at prohibiting the app.

“TikTok automatically collects extensive user data, including internet activity, location, and browsing histories,” Trump’s 2020 executive order stated. “This data gathering risks enabling the Chinese Communist Party to access Americans’ personal information, allowing them potentially to track federal personnel, blackmail individuals, and conduct industrial espionage.”

At that time, TikTok criticized Trump’s move as a threat to the principles of free speech and open markets. However, a federal judge halted the order, claiming Trump overstepped his authority by circumventing Congress. That autumn, Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden.

Trump’s view of TikTok appeared to improve after a meeting last year with billionaire Jeff Yass, a prominent conservative donor linked to ByteDance.

In his 2024 campaign, Trump successfully leveraged TikTok to connect with younger voters, amassing over 15 million followers on the platform.

His change in attitude coincides with strengthened ties with significant tech figures, including advisors like Elon Musk and business leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Tim Cook, all of whom were noticeably seated behind Trump during the Capitol swearing-in ceremony.

TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, was also present, sitting next to Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who Trump has nominated for a national security role.

“On behalf of TikTok and all our users nationwide, thank you, President Trump, for your commitment to collaborate with us in finding a solution that keeps TikTok accessible in the United States,” Chew expressed in a recent video statement.

However, the legality of Trump’s use of executive power to override a Congressional ban remains uncertain.

The sell-or-ban law, which Biden signed last April, mandated that ByteDance sell its American TikTok operations by the previous Sunday for the app to continue functioning in the U.S.

The app briefly went offline that weekend but made a comeback, with TikTok complimenting Trump for providing “clarity and assurance” to service providers regarding penalties for their continued operation. Earlier, TikTok had attributed its brief shutdown to Biden’s administration requirements.

‘Every wealthy individual has contacted me regarding TikTok’

In his new TikTok directive, Trump stated his goal is to “consult with my advisors, including heads of relevant departments, to assess the national security issues posed by TikTok and pursue a solution that safeguards our national security while preserving a platform used by 170 million Americans.”

Most Republicans seem to support Trump’s new position on TikTok. Yet, Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas, a close ally of Trump, has maintained his focus on national security issues.

“Any business involved with, distributing, or facilitating TikTok could face astronomical legal issues under various laws, including those related to securities and liability,” Cotton, the new chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, warned after TikTok announced its plan to resume operations following Trump’s assurances.

Cotton’s remarks came before Trump took office and signed the TikTok directive. Meanwhile, after Trump’s second inauguration, he indicated there is no shortage of interested American buyers.

“Every wealthy individual has contacted me about TikTok,” Trump shared with the press.

Contributing: Reuters.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.