The latest
Most members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet are joining TikTok, giving the app an official role in the administration’s communications strategy after years of restrictions and security concerns over its Chinese ownership.
The accounts are being launched days after the Justice Department told federal employees that the app was safe to use following its transfer to a U.S.-controlled venture. The department says the 2022 law banning TikTok from government-issued devices no longer applies under the new ownership structure.
The administration sees the platform as a powerful way to reach young voters. Trump has used TikTok since 2024, and some of his posts—including a video documenting his appearance at a UFC event—have drawn hundreds of millions of views.
Details
- Political reversal: The administration has moved from trying to ban TikTok during Trump’s first term to using it as an official government communications channel.
- Legal basis: A 2022 law barred TikTok from government phones because of its connection to ByteDance.
- New ownership: The Justice Department says the app’s transfer to a U.S.-controlled entity removed the basis for the ban.
- Target audience: The administration is betting on TikTok’s popularity among young users to expand the reach of its political and government messaging.
Between the lines
The move reflects more than a legal and security shift. It is an acknowledgment by the White House that reaching young audiences now outweighs the political value of boycotting a platform with exceptional power to drive engagement.
What to watch
The Cabinet accounts will show whether TikTok is used mainly for official announcements or becomes a broader political tool. The application of data-security and record-retention rules on government devices will also remain under scrutiny.
