In an era defined by digital communication, few platforms have captured the hearts and minds of Americans like TikTok. With nearly 150 million U.S. users, TikTok has become a cornerstone of cultural expression, a platform for creativity, and—most vitally—an important forum for free speech. Yet, despite its significant influence and popularity, TikTok remains under fire from both sides of the political aisle, with critics citing national security concerns and potential foreign interference.
These concerns are not without merit, but the solution to such challenges is not to ban TikTok outright. Instead, the Trump administration should prioritize safeguarding this platform to uphold the principles of free speech and innovation that define the American ethos. To ban TikTok would be to set a dangerous precedent—one that undermines not only free expression but also the trust Americans place in their government to protect their liberties.
TikTok’s detractors point to its ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company, as the central issue. Critics argue this creates a national security risk, as China’s authoritarian government could compel ByteDance to hand over user data or manipulate the app’s algorithm to promote pro-China narratives. The fears of data harvesting, propaganda, and espionage are not baseless. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a history of using technology to advance its geopolitical agenda, and TikTok’s explosive popularity provides an attractive target.
But to ban TikTok entirely would be to amputate rather than cure. The real risks—foreign interference and data misuse—can and should be addressed with precise, pragmatic solutions. For example, requiring TikTok to store all U.S. user data on American servers, managed by a domestic entity, would limit access by foreign actors. Independent audits by cybersecurity firms could ensure that algorithms are transparent and free of manipulation. If concerns persist about ByteDance’s control, a full divestiture of TikTok’s U.S. operations could place the platform entirely in American hands.
More broadly, the issue highlights America’s outdated digital privacy laws. Addressing TikTok in isolation misses the bigger picture: countless platforms, including domestic ones like Facebook (and parent company Meta), collect user data and face few meaningful constraints. If Congress truly wishes to protect Americans, it should enact robust privacy laws that apply universally, not only to one company.
The United States is a nation born of the belief that individuals have the right to speak, assemble, and express themselves freely. This ethos is enshrined in the First Amendment, which protects even controversial or inconvenient speech. TikTok has become a modern town square, where Americans from all walks of life can share their thoughts, advocate for causes, and challenge authority. Silencing this platform would silence millions of voices, many of them young Americans whose engagement in civic life is essential to the nation’s future.
TikTok’s impact extends far beyond dances and skits. It has democratized fame, providing ordinary Americans with unprecedented opportunities to showcase their talents, ideas, and perspectives. Activists have used TikTok to mobilize for social and political causes, often bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Small businesses rely on it to reach customers, and creators build livelihoods through its innovative ecosystem. Banning TikTok would cut off these opportunities, disproportionately harming the very people populism seeks to empower: everyday citizens, rather than elites.
President Trump’s populist vision has always been about putting America First, which means prioritizing the voices and freedoms of its people. TikTok empowers millions of Americans to express themselves in ways that traditional media platforms often do not. To eliminate it would be to strip those Americans of their megaphones, leaving them voiceless in a digital landscape increasingly dominated by a few corporate giants.
Moreover, banning TikTok would hand a propaganda victory to China. The CCP would undoubtedly use such a decision to paint the United States as hypocritical, claiming that the land of free speech stifles expression when it suits political convenience. Protecting TikTok, on the other hand, would reaffirm America’s commitment to its principles, even in the face of challenges. It would send a clear message: the United States does not censor speech simply because it is hard to manage.
History shows us that the erosion of freedoms often begins with seemingly justified exceptions. Consider the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which criminalized dissent under the guise of protecting national security, or the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, justified as a wartime necessity. Each of these decisions was presented as essential to protecting the nation, yet each left a stain on America’s legacy of liberty. Banning TikTok would be another such misstep. While the concerns surrounding the platform are real, the solution lies in upholding American values, not betraying them.
Skeptics argue that TikTok’s content is frivolous—hardly the kind of speech the Founders envisioned protecting. This line of thinking reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of free expression. The beauty of the First Amendment is that it does not discriminate. A teenager sharing a dance routine has as much right to use their voice as a scholar publishing a political treatise. Dismissing TikTok as trivial overlooks the profound ways it has shaped cultural and political discourse, especially among younger generations.
Economically, the ramifications of a ban would be devastating. TikTok has created a booming ecosystem of creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs. Small businesses rely on the platform to reach audiences they could never access through traditional advertising. Independent creators have built entire careers on TikTok, from fitness trainers to artists to educators. Removing this platform would not only stifle innovation but also eliminate a significant source of income for thousands of Americans.
Perhaps most importantly, banning TikTok would invite other such actions in the future. If the government can shutter one platform based on hypothetical risks, what’s to stop it from targeting others? Today it’s TikTok; tomorrow, it could be another app or website that challenges political norms or irritates those in power (such as X). Such overreach would be antithetical to the principles of a free society. The moment we allow fear to dictate policy at the expense of freedom (see Franklin), we surrender the moral high ground that has long set America apart from authoritarian states.
President Trump has an opportunity to reaffirm America’s commitment to free speech and innovation by protecting TikTok. This does not mean ignoring legitimate national security concerns; it means addressing them in a way that aligns with American values. By implementing targeted regulations, increasing transparency, and strengthening privacy laws, the administration can ensure TikTok remains a safe and vibrant platform for expression.
The decision to protect or ban TikTok is about more than just one “frivolous” app. It’s about the kind of country we want to be—a nation that stands firm in its belief in liberty, even when it’s inconvenient. America’s greatness lies in its principles, and those principles must be upheld, even as it becomes more difficult in the digital age. President Trump has built his political brand on standing up for the forgotten men and women of this country. Protecting TikTok would be a continuation of that legacy—a defense of the people’s voice against unwarranted government overreach. By safeguarding TikTok, Trump can demonstrate to the world that America’s commitment to freedom is not just rhetoric but a reality.
Michael J. Hout is the Editor of Liberty Affair. He currently resides in Warsaw, Poland. Follow him on X: @michaeljhout
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