President Biden will continue to use TikTok to campaign even after banning it in the U.S.

'When the stakes are this high in the election, we are going to use every tool we have to reach young voters where they are.'
 By 
Elena Cavender
 on 
President Joe Biden standing behind a lectern in a navy suit and red tie.
Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Staff / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Despite signing the TikTok "ban" bill, President Joe Biden plans to continue to use the platform to campaign for re-election reports the Financial Times.

Biden signed the bill into law yesterday (April 14) as part of a foreign aid package sending 95 billion dollars to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bill requires TikTok's China-based parent company ByteDance to divest itself from the app within the next year. If the company fails to do so TikTok will be banned in the U.S. The deadline Jan. 19 falls on the day before the presidential inauguration.

The ban comes amid security concerns. Lawmakers who argued for the ban are concerned that because a Chinese company owns TikTok it could hand American users' data over to the Chinese government, despite TikTok denying that it shares data with the Chinese government. There are 170 million American users of TikTok, more than half the population and Biden's campaign has taken note of the platform's reach.


You May Also Like

Biden's campaign still sees the app as a way to reach young voters. A Biden campaign official told the Financial Times, "When the stakes are this high in the election, we are going to use every tool we have to reach young voters where they are." The official also ensured "enhanced security measures" were in place.

Recommended deals for you

Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00)

Ring Indoor Cam Plus 2K Wired Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $99.99 (List Price $119.98)

Apple iPad 11" 128GB Wi-Fi Retina Tablet (Blue, 2025 Release) — $399.99 (List Price $449.00)

Apple Watch Series 12 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $349.99 (List Price $399.00)

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones (Midnight Blue) — $198.00 (List Price $248.00)

Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Biden first joined the platform on the day of the Super Bowl (Feb. 11). His account has since posted 140 videos accumulating a mere 3.8 million likes. The president only has 308,200 followers on the platform.

Topics TikTok Politics

Mashable Image
Elena Cavender

Elena is a tech reporter and the resident Gen Z expert at Mashable. She covers TikTok and digital trends. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in American History. Email her at [email protected] or follow her @ecaviar_.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Jon Stewart responds to Trump banning CNN from the White House
A man in a suit sits behind a talk show desk. In the top-left is an image of the president.

Jimmy Kimmel mocks Trump for banning press outlets from White House
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage. A quote from the president is visible at the bottom.

TikTok is bringing voice notes to the comment section
The TikTok logo appears on a smartphone screen against a dynamic abstract background

Tom Cruise is officially in his TikTok era
Tom Cruise at CinemaCon.


More in Life
How to watch Real Madrid vs. Villarreal in La Liga online for free
Jude Bellingham on the ball for Real Madrid

How to watch Barcelona vs. Getafe in La Liga online for free
Lamie Yamal celebrates for Barcelona

How to watch PSG vs. Le Mans online for free
 Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain runs with the ball

How to watch Deportivo Aláves vs. Atlético Madrid online for free
Jonathan David of Atletico Madrid celebrates

Free F1 livestream: How to watch the Singapore GP for free this weekend
Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 10, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

How can 'Ted Lasso' fix itself?
Tanya Reynolds, Jason Sudeikis, and Brendan Hunt in "Ted Lasso."

NYT Strands hints, answers for October 10, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 10, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone