Summary
Despite previously attempting to ban TikTok over national security concerns, Donald Trump now champions the platform, which went offline in the U.S. Sunday under a controversial ban upheld by the Supreme Court.
TikTok is good for Trump because it is a maelstrom of disinformation so massive that even Elon Musk-controlled Twitter cannot compete.
The app’s algorithm spreads disinformation and emotionally manipulative content, which boosts Trump’s messaging.
Critics warn that TikTok fosters disconnection, exploiting empathy to exhaust users and distract them from meaningful real-world action.
Social media is now literally running the country and controlling the faucets on the disinformation. Now they have TikTok too. 1984 is here folks, and more than 2/3 of the country sat back smugly staring at themselves in their precious smartphone mirrors while it happened.