Democrat Says Trump Not Banning Tiktok For What?
Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) recently accused President-elect Donald Trump of backing away from a TikTok ban due to his popularity on the platform and the influence of TikTok’s powerful lobbying efforts on his inner circle. Appearing on CNN, Auchincloss explained his position by suggesting that Trump’s decisions are often motivated by two factors: flattery and ego-stroking, combined with what he called “soft corruption” from the people around him.
“The two forces are a powerful combination,” Auchincloss told CNN’s Jim Sciutto. “Flattery inflates his ego, and the sycophantic influence of his inner circle can warp policy decisions.”
The comments came just hours after Trump’s legal team asked the U.S. Supreme Court to delay a potential ban of TikTok, which had been set for January 19, just one day before Trump’s inauguration. His legal team argued that only Trump has the necessary “dealmaking expertise” to resolve the issue, while addressing national security concerns related to the app.
The case centers around a bill passed by President Biden in April, which requires ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell the app by the January deadline or face a nationwide ban. Auchincloss, who serves on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, has been vocal about the need for Congress to uphold this law. He warned that if Trump tried to issue an executive order to block the ban, lawmakers would step in to override it.
“I think it’s crucial that Congress affirms the law and stands firm. We cannot allow one man, regardless of his political position, to undermine national security for personal or political gain,” Auchincloss said.
Trump has long been an opponent of banning TikTok, and during his 2024 campaign, he made clear his intention to “save TikTok.” However, Trump has yet to offer a clear plan on how he would handle the app’s controversial ties to the Chinese Communist Party once he takes office. His position on TikTok appears to have shifted since his earlier threats to ban the app during his first term.
Interestingly, several key figures in Trump’s orbit have been linked to lobbying efforts on behalf of TikTok. Former senior adviser Kellyanne Conway is reportedly being paid by the influential Club for Growth to advocate for the platform in Congress. This group, backed by GOP mega-donor Jeff Yass, holds a significant stake in ByteDance, fueling further concerns about the influence of corporate interests over U.S. policy.
While Trump’s Republican allies remain divided on the issue, there is growing tension between security concerns and economic interests. Some, like Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), have voiced opposition to a ban, questioning the government’s overreach, while others argue that national security must come first. For now, the debate continues, with Trump’s stance on TikTok remaining a central issue.
