Buttigieg Joins TikTok with 180,000 Followers

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has officially joined TikTok, becoming the latest political figure to embrace the popular social media platform. As of Wednesday afternoon, Buttigieg has garnered 180,000 followers, humorously introducing himself in his first video by referencing his appearances on Fox News. His entry into TikTok comes amid a broader trend of politicians utilizing the platform to connect with younger audiences. The move follows President Joe Biden's earlier directive requiring TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest from the platform or face a potential ban in the U.S. This comes at a time when political campaigns are increasingly leveraging social media to engage voters. Notably, Vice President Kamala Harris has also made her mark on TikTok, launching her campaign account “KamalaHQ,” which boasts 3.7 million followers, alongside her personal account that has attracted 4.6 million followers since its creation in late July. Former President Donald Trump, who initially opposed TikTok during his presidency, joined the platform on June 1 and has since amassed 10.5 million followers. His strategy to appeal to younger voters includes various podcast appearances, including discussions with comedian Theo Von and social media influencer Logan Paul, as well as a live conversation with X owner Elon Musk. As politicians increasingly turn to TikTok, the platform is becoming a significant arena for political engagement, reflecting the evolving landscape of campaign strategies in the digital age.