On Sunday, a celebratory event took place for the inauguration of the incoming President Donald Trump, where guests were adorned with TikTok headphones and MAGA caps - the same accessories he attempted to ban during his time. The evening, called the Power 30 Awards, took place just hours after TikTok resumed its operations and highlighted influencers on the platform who provided the most support to Trump during the run-up to the elections.
According to the celebrants, influential TikTok users recorded videos on small cameras and interacted at the bar in Sax Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Washington. U.S. officials warned about the dangers of insufficient protection of American data in connection with the Chinese company ByteDance. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew planned to attend the inauguration of the U.S. President and participate in the meeting alongside Trump.
"When we talk about the mandate given to President Trump, it happened thanks to young voters, and the youth uniquely achieved this because of TikTok." Trump secured victory with only 43% of the 18 to 29-year-old voters in the 2024 elections, which is 7 percentage points higher than in 2020. The guests at the evening also highly rated Trump's role in revitalizing TikTok's work.
"We welcome Donald Trump," stated TikTok content creator Bryce Hall, whose followers exceed 23 million, engaged in posting videos based on 'making fun of silly things'. TikTok headphones, shoes, and Trump merchandise were distributed.
The event was organized by Raquel Debono, the well-known organizer of the conservative movement "Make America Hot Again," and Kay Jay Pearson, deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee for Youth Affairs. "2024 became the first elections influenced by TikTok users," Pearson told Reuters at the evening event. "Now he realizes the power of Generation Z."
