The Biden campaign is reportedly considering joining video-sharing social media platform TikTok in order to reach younger voters. The move comes months after the Trump administration banned the app on federal devices due to security concerns. Campaign officials are said to be exploring the idea of using the app to reach millennials and Generation Z voters, who are estimated to comprise 37 percent of the voting population this coming November.
The move would mark an interesting turn of events, as the Trump administration had directed several measures against the Chinese-owned app over the last year. In June, the U.S. Commerce Department issued an order banning any transactions with the parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, on the grounds of “national security”, while the Trump administration also issued an executive order in August prohibiting any U.S. person or company from engaging in transactions with the app.
Should the Biden team decide to join TikTok, it could open a whole new world of possibilities for the campaign’s outreach efforts. Through the app, they could create short, entertaining videos to engage potential voters and promote Joe Biden’s policy platform and values. Moreover, the platform offers a unique opportunity to reach young voters who may not be exposed to traditional media and who prefer digital content. However, the Biden camp is likely to face pushback if it decides to take advantage of the app, as Republican opponents would likely capitalize on the platform’s Chinese ownership and criticize the campaign for involving itself with a company associated with the Chinese government.
