FACT CHECK: Did Trump Publish A Tweet On Jan. 14 Saying He Would Buy TikTok?

Christine Sellers | Fact Check Reporter

A video shared on TikTok claims President Donald Trump published a tweet on Jan. 14 saying he would buy TikTok.

Screenshot captured via TikTok

Verdict: False

The purported tweet is not found using an advanced search of Trump’s verified X account, and there is no other evidence supporting the claim.

Fact Check:

Ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration ceremony, Trump said he would “‘most likely’ give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban,” according to NBC News. Trump discussed the potential reprieve with NBC’s Kristen Welker via a recent phone interview, the outlet reported.

The TikTok video, which has received over 100,000 likes as of writing, claims Trump published a tweet on Jan. 14 saying he would buy TikTok.

“Big announcement: I will be purchasing TikTok on January 14th for $2.7 Billion. Incredible platform, tremendous potential. Under my leadership, it will be bigger and better than ever before! Stay tuned,” the purported tweet from Trump reads.

The claim is false. Check Your Fact did not find the purported tweet using an advanced search of Trump’s verified X account. The claim also does not appear on Trump’s official website, his TRUTH Social account, or his verified Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. The claim is not referenced on the White House’s website or Trump’s government X account, either. (RELATED: Did Donald Trump Post That He Would Ban Pornography?)

Likewise, Check Your Fact did not find any credible news reports to support the claim. In fact, the opposite is true. On Jan. 17, Politifact debunked the claim. Additionally, TikTok does not appear to have issued a statement responding to the claim.

TikTok restored service in the U.S. following a ban set to take effect on Jan.19, according to Reuters. The app faced a ban over “national security concerns,” namely, that Americans’ personal data was being shared with the Chinese government, the outlet reported.

Check Your Fact has contacted a Trump spokesperson for comment.

Christine Sellers

Fact Check Reporter

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