It seems that there is a very simple reason why President Donald Trump has threatened to ban TikTok from U.S. operations.
On Friday, President Trump angered Generation Z or Gen Z after he announced during an interview aboard Air Force One that over the weekend, he plans to use an executive order or emergency economic powers to ban the social media app from the United States.
The Republican politician said: “As far as TikTok is concerned we’re banning them from the United States. Well, I have that authority. I can do it with an executive order or that.”
Trump has previously attacked the Chinese company that currently owns the app because he fears it is a tool to spy on America. Trump is also against Microsoft’s decision to acquire the app.
However, many believe that Trump is not acting in America’s best interest, and the truth is that he might have a personal vendetta against TikTok because of Sarah Cooper and the fact that teenagers used it to derail attendance at one of his political rallies.
In the past few months, Cooper, a comedian and author, became a TikTok viral sensation with her popular videos where she is mocking and lip-syncing Trump.
Cooper’s spoof videos impersonating Trump have amassed millions of views. And it seems that Trump no longer wants to be a laughingstock, which is why he wants to get rid of the platform.
Trump does not seem to be aware that Cooper also shares her viral videos trolling him on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
News of TikTok’s ban quickly made headlines, prompting U.S. General Manager Vanessa Pappas to respond in the following video.
She said: “I want to say thank you to the millions of Americans who use TikTok every day, bringing their creativity and joy into our daily lives. We’ve heard your outpouring of support, and we want to say thank you. We’re not planning on going anywhere.”
A message to the TikTok community. pic.twitter.com/UD3TR2HfEf
— TikTok (@tiktok_us) August 1, 2020
Social media lit up with angry comments from voters who want Trump to focus on the coronavirus that is hurting millions of Americans instead of an app.
A concerned citizen said: “The 74-year old President of The United States is WAY more obsessed with social media than the 17-year old girls it was created for. He amazes me every day with his level of stupidity! Priorities, 45, priorities.”
Trump was bashed by this Instagrammer who wrote: “I wish he took COVID as seriously as he takes petty stuff like this and that wall. We wouldn’t be where we are now. I’m actually waiting on him to sign an executive order to ban the KKK.”
This person brought Facebook into the conversation: “Wow, a bunch of teenagers made this man so mad he’s banning the entire app. Everyone’s worried about tik tok. Meanwhile, I can have a conversation with my friend over the phone about wanting to order a new air fryer 10 minutes later, my Facebook timeline shows me an ad for an air fryer ??. Zuckerburg is listening too ??♀️.”
It is not certain that Trump will go all the way with his latest threat.
