Trump criticizes Facebook, warns against TikTok ban, claims it would benefit Meta

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, expressed reservations on Monday about the proposed ban of the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok in the United States. He suggested that such a ban would only strengthen Meta.

In an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his belief that without TikTok, Facebook could expand its influence, referring to Facebook as an adversary of the people. Trump highlighted both positive and negative aspects of TikTok, acknowledging its popularity among users, particularly young people, while also raising concerns about national security and data privacy.

Trump’s remarks underscored the ongoing debate surrounding TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, and its explosive rise in popularity with its short video format. Regulatory concerns have centered on the potential for the Chinese government to access user data through ByteDance, in accordance with China’s National Intelligence Law of 2017.

During his presidency, Trump’s administration attempted unsuccessfully to remove TikTok from U.S. app stores and ordered ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations within 90 days. Despite efforts that included potential bids from companies like Microsoft, no resolution was reached regarding TikTok’s status in the United States.

U.S. lawmakers are intensifying efforts to address concerns surrounding TikTok, with proposed legislation advocating for either ByteDance’s divestiture or a complete ban of the app. President Joe Biden, citing national security worries, has indicated his readiness to sign a bill banning TikTok if Congress approves.

Former President Trump, while maintaining TikTok as a national security concern due to its Chinese ownership, has shifted his stance. He now argues against a TikTok ban, fearing it would bolster Facebook’s dominance. Trump highlighted Facebook’s comparable privacy and security issues, suggesting it poses similar risks. Despite acknowledging TikTok’s vulnerability to Chinese influence, Trump expressed reluctance to inadvertently empower Facebook, which he criticized for its impact on elections, stating, “I think Facebook has been very bad for our country, especially when it comes to elections.”

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