In Washington on January 19th, party attendees at the inauguration celebration for incoming President Donald Trump and the once-controversial TikTok platform sported a mix of TikTok earmuffs and MAGA hats.
Dubbed the Power 30 Awards, the event followed TikTok's restoration of services and recognized social media influencers who significantly contributed to Trump's re-election efforts.
During the gathering at Sax Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Washington, TikTok influencers captured moments with small cameras while socializing around an open bar. Attendees enjoyed complimentary items like TikTok beanies, shot glasses, and Trump merchandise.
Hosted by Raquel Debono and CJ Pearson, the party highlighted the significant role of influencers in the election process. Pearson commented to Reuters, "2024 was the first influencer election," attributing Trump's success with young voters to TikTok's unique outreach.
Trump, who garnered 43% of voters aged 18 to 29 in the 2024 election, received praise for his involvement in restoring TikTok. Content creator Bryce Hall recognized the impact by stating, "Now he understands the power of Gen Z."
TikTok resumed its services ahead of Trump's return to power on Monday, following the President-elect's decision to allow the app's access in the U.S. The company expressed gratitude towards Trump for their reinstatement in a message to users before the event.
Despite remaining unavailable for download on U.S. app stores at the time, TikTok's app and website were operational. The platform's halt was prompted by concerns over data security under the Chinese parent company ByteDance.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to participate in the U.S. presidential inauguration and join a rally with Trump, as indicated by a Reuters source.