U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that he holds overwhelming influence on TikTok, asserting that the platform even helped him win the presidential election.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on July 6 (local time), President Trump said, "Do you know who is number one on TikTok by a landslide? Trump, that's me," adding, "I think Taylor Swift was 11th, but I am the undisputed number one on TikTok."
Regarding the argument by Gordon Chang, a U.S.-based lawyer and political commentator known as a Trump ally, that TikTok should be banned, Trump said, "We have to be careful because China is a powerful competitor," but added, "I am number one on TikTok. To be honest, I think TikTok helped me win the election by a landslide."
President Trump also reaffirmed that he personally requested FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card suspension of U.S. national soccer team forward Folarin Balogun.
Regarding the incident, President Trump argued, "Two players were running at full speed and collided by accident," adding, "It wasn't a foul or a violation." He continued by defending his stance on the FIFA disciplinary reversal, asking, "What if Messi, Ronaldo, or Harry Kane were taken out of a game just because they bumped into someone?"
Belgian fans protested, claiming that "everything was rigged for Trump," and Glenn Micallef, the EU Commissioner for Sports, also criticized the move, stating, "The idea of pressuring sports organizations should not cross the mind of any politician."
The United States suffered a 1-4 defeat against Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 match in which Balogun played.
President Trump also continued his remarks on the economy and cryptocurrency. He expressed confidence in a record-breaking economic boom, stating, "The stock market is going to go through the roof," and reaffirmed his active support for cryptocurrency, saying, "If we don't have that industry, China will take it."
Reported by JIN Sang-myeong | Video by HONG Jin-young | Produced by SBS Digital News
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