Former President Donald Trump launched his TikTok presence at a UFC event in Newark, New Jersey, marking a surprising entry despite his past opposition to the platform.

Axios reported that Trump quickly outpaced Biden's campaign in followers, gaining 2.2 million likes and over 38 million views by Sunday afternoon.

Dana White, the President of UFC, announced during the event, "The president is now on TikTok," underscoring the significance of this strategic move.

Trump's TikTok Debut with Dana White Shatters Records

Despite former attempts to ban TikTok, Trump's new account rapidly overshadowed President Biden's campaign on the platform in follower count.

Trump's inaugural TikTok post featured him alongside Dana White at a UFC title fight, capturing significant attention.

This initial post quickly amassed 2.2 million likes and over 38 million views by 1:15 ET on Sunday, highlighting its broad appeal and the former president's undiminished star power among certain demographics.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump's campaign, emphasized the importance of the venue and platform, stating, "There's no place better than a UFC event to launch President Trump's TikTok ... he received a hero's welcome and thousands of fans cheered him on."

Trump Outpaces Biden HQ in Social Media Race

Since its inception, Trump's TikTok account has experienced rapid growth, attracting 2.1 million followers. This number starkly surpasses the Biden campaign's TikTok presence, represented by the handle @BidenHQ, which began in February.

Trump’s rapid accumulation of followers reflects a strategically successful launch aimed at energizing a younger voter base and leveraging the massive reach that TikTok commands among this demographic.

Cheung suggested this innovative approach is about leaving "no front undefended" in efforts to connect with younger audiences who favor TikTok for content consumption.

Trump's family and affiliated groups also actively promote his political messages on TikTok. His son, Don Jr., and the pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., have been engaging with the platform's vast audience, often overshadowing pro-Biden narratives. An analysis by the N.Y. Times revealed a dominance of pro-Trump content over Biden's on TikTok since last November, indicating a concerted effort to dominate this social media space.

Concerns and Actions Surrounding TikTok's Usage

Meanwhile, President Biden has taken a markedly different stance regarding TikTok. Recently, he signed legislation that mandates TikTok, owned by ByteDance, to divest from its parent company. This move reflects ongoing national security concerns amid TikTok's explosive popularity and connections to China.

The White House has even engaged with liberal influencers on the platform to mitigate concerns regarding any potential moves to restrict TikTok, attempting to balance regulatory measures with maintaining an approachable presence online.

According to internal sources, some of Biden's aides have expressed regret over not engaging more profoundly with the TikTok audience earlier. This reflection underlines a strategic misstep in not fully capitalizing on the platform's potential to reach young voters effectively and dynamically.

The disparity in follower numbers and engagement between Trump's and Biden's TikTok accounts underscores broader discussions about political strategy in the digital age.

Trump's ability to command a significant online presence quickly highlights the importance of prominent and engaging social media use in current political campaigns, even as security and privacy concerns persist.

Trump's Strategic Use of Social Media Compares With Biden's Caution

In conclusion, Trump's entry into Tik Presidential Seat on TikTok signifies a tactical pivot in his outreach efforts and sets a new precedent in political campaigning on social media platforms.

His quick surpassing of Biden's follower count illustrates the effectiveness of his team's digital strategy and awareness of platform dynamics. While the Biden campaign plays catch-up regarding the presence and influence of TikTok, Trump’s proactive stance could redefine interaction patterns between political figures and voters in the digital realm.