Former President Donald Trump has voiced opposition to the proposed ban on China's TikTok app, asserting that such action would inadvertently strengthen Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook platform, which he labels as the "true enemy of the people."
Trump's comments, shared on his Truth Social account Thursday, take aim at Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, whom he accuses of electoral interference in the past.
Donald Trump Claims Banning China’s TikTok Would Only Empower Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has shown an extreme leftist bias and a willingness to interfere in electionshttps://t.co/O92yMO28su
— Steve Gruber (@stevegrubershow) March 9, 2024
Trump argues that removing TikTok would only bolster Facebook's dominance, a company he claims has undermined previous elections.
Trump's stance aligns with ongoing legislative efforts aimed at addressing concerns about TikTok's ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business,” Trump said. “I don’t want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!”
A bipartisan bill, introduced by 19 U.S. lawmakers, seeks to compel ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest its U.S. operations within six months or face prohibition. The legislation underscores the perceived national security risks posed by apps controlled by foreign adversaries.
The former president's assertions regarding TikTok echo findings by investigative journalist Peter Schweizer in his book, "Blood Money: Why the Powerful Turn a Blind Eye While China Kills Americans."
Schweizer uncovered references from restricted Chinese military journals depicting TikTok as a "modern day Trojan Horse," utilized for what Chinese strategists term "information-driven mental warfare" against American youth.
Schweizer's research delves into the CCP's strategic use of cultural products, including apps like TikTok, to shape beliefs, values, and perceptions on a global scale.
He emphasizes the significance of the "cognitive space" and advocates for leveraging cultural tools to influence ideology and behavior on a mass scale.
Many sources continue to monitor and investigate China's alleged exploitation of TikTok as a means of ideological influence and propaganda targeting younger generations in the United States.
Trump's position on TikTok arises amidst heightened concerns over the platform's potential to serve as a conduit for CCP propaganda and influence operations.
While the former president's efforts to ban TikTok during his tenure ultimately faltered, the debate surrounding its perceived threats to national security and democratic processes persists as Congress considers the issue during the heated presidential election year.
