Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk faced backlash from Trump supporters on Sunday after attempting to defend the President-elect’s recent decision to restore TikTok services.
Kirk took to Truth Social to promote Trump’s move, announcing: “BREAKING: TikTok is currently restoring services after President Trump gave assurances that providers would not face penalties. The company is working with the incoming administration on a ‘long-term’ plan to remain operative in the U.S.”
However, the response from Trump’s MAGA base was far from supportive, with many users expressing frustration over the decision to allow TikTok, a platform widely criticized for its ties to China, to remain active, told KGET.
One user, @TakTik, who describes themselves as an “American Patriot,” questioned the priorities of the administration: “Why do we care so much about TikTok? This is really weird that we are nationally obsessed with keeping this Chinese spyware alive. Make it make sense.”
Another user, Mymouthmywords, who identifies as a “flag-waving patriot,” bluntly stated, “I don’t agree with Trump on this. Ban it.” Even typically loyal accounts voiced concerns. Rejoicing1, a frequent sharer of Trump-related content, commented, “Not sure this is wise.”
@ToxicMale, whose profile features an image of Trump, strongly opposed the decision, saying, “No!!! We missed a great opportunity to ban this stupid Chinese app once and for all.” Kurt Wray, a self-identified Trump supporter, also criticized the move, calling it “a bad idea.”
The backlash highlights a growing divide among Trump’s supporters regarding his stance on TikTok. Many view the platform as a national security threat due to its ties to China, a narrative Trump himself championed during his first presidency.
While Trump and his team have framed the decision as part of a strategy to develop a “long-term” solution for TikTok’s operations in the U.S., the move has left some of his most ardent backers questioning its rationale.
As Trump prepares to re-enter office, the controversy over TikTok underscores the challenges of balancing policy decisions with the expectations of his MAGA base, especially on issues as polarizing as technology and national security.