Trump takes Action to Ban TikTok

Written by Zaina Cummins

On July 31, 2020, rumors circulated that President Donald Trump was going to turn his words into action by banning the Chinese-video sharing app, TikTok; nationwide. 

It’s funny how a social media app is being banned before Ak-47’s. Interesting world we live in. 

The reason Trump is seeking to ban the app is because it is viewed as a security threat. The Trump administration has expressed concerns about the app’s relationship to the Chinese government. It is said Republicans have actually banned their own staff from using the app way back in March of this year. 

TikTok has become a place for the introvert to become an extrovert, a place where those who have always felt judged or have been judged, are no longer judged. It is used to create short music, lip-sync, dance, comedy and talent videos of 3 to 15 seconds, and short looping videos of 3 to 60 seconds; a place where people can finally set themselves free from the harsh realities in the world. 

According to Business Insider, the Trump Administration weighed two executive orders: a nationwide TikTok ban, or a directive that ByteDance divest its TikTok operations in the US. 

Although all of this sounds like bad news, there is a brighter side. TikTok will be able to stay around in the United States for a little longer if an American company buys them out. Furthermore, in expectation of being banned, ByteDance began searching for prospective buyers. 

Trump has given ByteDance until September 15 to find a potential buyer. Luckily, Microsoft has appeared to be the first and most eager buyer in line. 

Many creators from the app have made a fair living off of their content alone. Banning it will take away the laughs, smiles and creativity that everyone receives from it. 

It is not just about people making up dances for everyone to follow along with, this app educates you on things you may never have known, promotes small businesses, shows the harsh living circumstances of some individuals, allows you to relate to some individuals, shows parts of the world you’ve never seen and most importantly, it is a space you can exhale. 

The plan to ban TikTok is an issue that has become two sided. There are those who understand why it should be banned and want it to be banned, and then there are those who think it is 

completely outrageous that Trump is taking such forceful action to ban an app when there are much bigger issues going on in the world; hence a pandemic (COVID-19). 

What side are you on?