Joe Raedle; Olivier Douliery/Getty Images
In a bold assertion during a recent press briefing, President-elect Donald Trump confidently proclaimed that he triumphed among young voters by an astounding 34 points. This declaration comes despite a cacophony of electoral data suggesting a rather different narrative, one where reality lurks in the shadows.
When probed about the looming TikTok ban, Trump’s sentiments seemed surprisingly nostalgic. He expressed a peculiar fondness for the platform, suggesting it played an instrumental role in his campaign’s outreach to the youth, declaring, “I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that.”
However, according to an analysis by AP VoteCast, the veritable truth reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris actually garnered roughly 51% of the votes from those aged 18 to 29. Despite an uptick in Trump’s standing among younger constituents since 2020, his audacious claim remains unsupported by credible evidence.
“We’ll take a look at TikTok,” he said, a remark laden with intrigue, as he acknowledged the app’s potential influence on his youthful appeal.
With approximately 170 million Americans utilizing TikTok, it faces a compelling ultimatum—a January 19 deadline for its Beijing-based parent, ByteDance, to divest or confront a nationwide ban, a prospect fueled by national security anxieties. Critics warn that the app could serve as a gateway for the Chinese government to siphon data and surveil U.S. citizens.
Moreover, Trump attributed some of his media prowess to his son, Barron, who he said recommended key podcast appearances, including a notable three-hour session on The Joe Rogan Experience, which he claimed has significantly amplified his resonance with younger voters.
