Trump leads in TikTok following among young voters

Former President Donald Trump has taken the TikTok world by storm with his recent debut on the platform. Within less than a week of joining, Trump’s account has amassed an impressive 5.6 million followers and garnered over 87 million views on his first video. In comparison, President Biden’s campaign account has 360,100 followers, while independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. boasts 1.3 million followers.

The presence of these political figures on TikTok highlights the platform’s growing influence in engaging young voters, especially as the November election approaches. With approximately one third of Americans active on TikTok, and a staggering 62% of 18- to 29-year-olds using the app, it serves as a critical tool for political campaigns to connect with the younger demographic.

Recent polling data reveals that Mr. Biden holds a slight edge over Trump among Americans aged 40 and under. However, voters under 30 in battleground states are less certain about turning out to vote, with some considering third-party candidates. This underscores the importance of reaching these younger voters through platforms like TikTok.

It’s worth noting the complex history both Trump and Biden have with TikTok. In 2020, Trump made efforts to ban the platform through executive orders, a move that was thwarted by the courts. Since then, Trump has shifted his stance and now opposes a ban on TikTok. On the other hand, Biden signed legislation in April that could force TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell the platform or face a ban in the U.S.

While Trump and Kennedy’s popularity on TikTok stands out among politicians, only a few members of Congress have more followers than Kennedy. Polling data shows that Kennedy resonates particularly well with young voters, as evidenced by the significant number of his supporters who are regular TikTok users.

Despite launching a TikTok account in February, the Biden campaign has not achieved the same level of engagement as Kennedy. Their videos receive fewer likes and views on average compared to Kennedy’s content. However, the campaign remains committed to using every available tool to reach young voters across social media platforms.

When asked about Trump’s decision to join TikTok, his spokesperson emphasized the campaign’s dedication to engaging with young voters. Trump’s rapid success on the platform mirrors a trend where pro-Trump content has significantly outweighed pro-Biden content in recent months.

While TikTok popularity may not directly translate to votes, it offers a unique opportunity for political candidates to engage with a diverse audience. Trump’s move to join TikTok aligns with his broader social media strategy on Truth Social, aiming to reach a wider audience beyond his dedicated followers on his own platform.

Both Trump and Kennedy have utilized TikTok to promote their respective campaigns and engage with voters. However, concerns have been raised about the spread of misinformation on the platform by political figures. Trump’s Truth Social posts have touched on disputed election claims, while Kennedy has amplified conspiracy theories related to vaccines and COVID-19.

The Biden campaign’s TikTok approach focuses on highlighting Trump’s policies and missteps through engaging audio clips and memes. Their content aims to draw attention to critical issues and contrast their candidate’s platform with that of the opposition.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, TikTok serves as a valuable tool for candidates to connect with a younger audience and amplify their campaign messaging. The engagement on the platform indicates a growing interest among voters, particularly in the digital sphere.