MidReal Story
Campaign Crossfire
Scenario: Trump: If TikTok is Banned, I Will Drop out of the U.S. presidential race.
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“Banning TikTok is a great idea, but it isn’t without consequences, sir,” Sarah Johnson, my campaign manager and lead digital strategist, says to me.
I’m in the middle of my re-election campaign, and I’ve just told her that I’m on board with the administration’s plan to ban the popular app.
A few weeks ago, the president signed an executive order to ban the app in the United States unless it’s sold to an American company by September 15.
It’s a decision that’s left many young people—my base—up in arms.
The Trump administration claims the app is a national security threat due to its ties to China.
I claim the app is a national security threat because it’s full of goddamned communists who think they’re going to take over our country.
Sarah lowers her head to read over her notes, studying them for a moment before looking back up at me.
“TikTok is an important platform for us, sir.
More than sixty percent of its users are between sixteen and twenty-four years old,” she says.
I nod, knowing this already.
“Those are the voters we’re trying to reach,” I remind her.
The TikTok app is one of the most popular social media platforms among young people.
Its Gen Z and Millennial users are exactly who my campaign has been targeting for months now—a group that traditionally skews left, but I’ve been working hard to change that.
Johnson knows this, which is why she’s here now giving me options for how we can make up for lost time if we have to pull the plug on our TikTok strategy.
“So…what would happen if we ban it?”
“A lot of things, sir,” she says.
“TikTok has been huge for our campaign.
It’s been key to helping us reach younger audiences and mobilizing them as voters in November.”
“Explain that to me,” I say when she trails off.
She takes a deep breath before launching into the specifics about how we’ve been using this app to our advantage.
“Our campaign has been using it as a tool for user-generated content, virtual events, and even fundraising,” she says.
“It’s been helpful in recruiting volunteers, as well.”
I wave my hand, motioning for her to get on with it.
“Get to the part where it’s going to hurt us if we have to give it up.”
Sarah nods and continues, “It’s been one of the best ways we appeal to younger voters, specifically Gen Z and Millennials—voters who are more likely not to be registered, or if they are registered, they’re less likely to vote.”
“How many users does it have?”
I ask when she pauses again.
She’s looking at her notes once more, but after a moment she looks up at me again.
“About 100 million users in the U.S., sir.”
“And over sixty percent of them are between sixteen and twenty-four?”