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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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President Donald Trump's youngest son Barron Trump has been suggested for a role on the board of TikTok.
Trump's former social media manager Jack Advent proposed the role at the social media giant, as it comes into U.S. ownership, arguing that the younger Trump's appointment could broaden TikTok's appeal among young users. However, it is not known if his suggestion will come to fruition.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and TikTok by email to comment on this story.
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Why It Matters
The future of TikTok, which has an estimated 170 million users in the U.S., had looked rocky with American lawmakers raising concerns about national security, data privacy and foreign influence. A bipartisan mandate passed by Congress during former President Joe Biden's presidency required TikTok’s China-based parent, ByteDance, to divest its American assets to avoid a nationwide ban.
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But Trump said he wanted to secure an agreement and kept the app online temporarily. Then in September Trump—who has credited the social media platform for increasing the turnout of young voters in the 2024 presidential election—signed an executive order allowing the app to continue its operations in the U.S. if its U.S. assets were transferred to a consortium of American investors.
If the president's son becomes involved in the venture it may raise questions about conflicts of interest and the extent to which the president might be able to influence the platform.
What To Know
The consortium of American investors includes Oracle and investment firm Silver Lake Partners. Trump also said Dell founder Michael Dell will invest in the new venture. Further details are to be announced.
Advent told the Daily Mail that Trump should "consider appointing his son Barron and maybe other young Americans to TikTok’s board to help ensure it remains an app young people want to keep using.”
While Trump's youngest son's primary focus is his studies—he is currently enrolled in New York University's Stern School of Business—he has also dipped his toe into the world of business.
In January, Newsweek revealed that Barron Trump incorporated a real-estate business in July 2024 then dissolved it in November 2024. One of Barron Trump's partners, Cameron Roxburgh, told Newsweek there were plans to relaunch it.
The 19-year-old is also one of the ambassadors of World Liberty Financial, the Trump family's crypto venture.
William F Hall, adjunct professor of political science and business, Webster University and adjunct instructor of political science at Maryville University and Washington University in St. Louis told Newsweek that if he joins TikTok, it could raise "serious concerns over both the efficacy, if not the inappropriateness, of such an appointment." He said the appointment could create "an appearance of impropriety" and raise questions about "ethics and enrichment by public officials."
What People Are Saying
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News in September: "President Trump was ahead of the curve on this—he recognized the need to protect Americans' privacy and data while also keeping this app open."
Trump said in a TikTok video in October: "To all of those young people of TikTok, I saved TikTok, so you owe me big, And now you're looking at me in the Oval Office, and someday one of you are going to be sitting right at this desk and you're going to be doing a great job."
Vice President JD Vance said: "This deal really does mean Americans can use TikTok but actually use it with more confidence than they had in the past because their data is secure and it won’t be used as a propaganda weapon like it has in the past."
ByteDance said in a public statement issued in September: "We thank President Xi Jinping and President Donald J. Trump for their efforts to preserve TikTok in the United States. ByteDance will work in accordance with applicable laws to ensure TikTok remains available to American users through TikTok U.S."
What Happens Next
TikTok's new ownership structure is still being finalized and more details will likely emerge in the weeks to come. Congress needs to review the deal before it takes full effect.
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