Former President Donald Trump has joined TikTok.
The former president, who was recently found guilty in his Manhattan "hush money" case, launched his TikTok account last week, and shared his first video featuring a montage of his appearance at last night's UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey.
"The president is now on TikTok," says UFC president Dana White in the video.
"It's my honor," Trump says.
The video then shows the audience erupting with applause as the former president entered the Prudential Center. Trump is then featured shaking hands and posing for pictures with UFC's fight commentator team Joe Rogan, former fighter Daniel Cormier, and Jon Anik.
"That was a good walk-on, right?" Trump says in reference to the crowd's reaction to his entrance.
The video has been played over 45 million times.
Some noted Trump's TikTok following, which has surpassed over 2.6 million as of this reporting, dwarfs President Joe Biden's following of just over 338.4 thousand.
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who was previously the only Republican candidate to campaign on TikTok, praised Trump's move in an X post.
"This is smart. If the other side is competing to reach young voters, we'd be idiotic not to show up and do the same," wrote Ramaswamy. This is smart. If the other side is competing to reach young voters, we’d be idiotic not to show up & do the same. https://t.co/REU2XsNQpc
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) June 2, 2024
In January 2021, Trump was permanently suspended from X, then-Twitter, until late 2022 upon Elon Musk's purchase of the company. Although Trump's account has been reinstated for nearly two years, the former president has relegated most of his social media presence to Truth Social.
After launching his TikTok account, some users speculated on Trump's return to X leading up to the November election.
"Apparently Trump just got on TikTok. My understanding as to why he wasn't using X was his Truth Social deal," wrote former Libertarian vice-presidential candidate Clint Russell. "If he's using TikTok I have to assume he will be back on here soon[.] Good, drag the commie prosecutors for us all to see. Can't wait." Apparently Trump just got on TikTok
My understanding as to why he wasn't using X was his Truth Social deal
If he's using TikTok I have to assume he will be back on here soon
Good, drag the commie prosecutors for us all to see. Can't wait.
— Clint Russell (@LibertyLockPod) June 2, 2024
Trump, who frequently attends UFC fights, was met with a standing ovation by attendees at UFC 302.
"The round of applause he's getting right now is pretty staggering," said Rogan as Trump shook hands with members of the audience. President Donald Trump is in the building! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸#UFC302 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/5GxqLnWbzI
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 2, 2024
"You had to imagine that's what was gonna happen," he added in reference to Trump's guilty verdict late last week.
