In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has joined the popular video-sharing app TikTok, a platform he once sought to ban while in the White House. Trump's decision to join the app comes just days after being found guilty on felony charges, making him the first former president to face such a conviction in U.S. history.

Trump made his presence known on TikTok by posting a video from a UFC fight in Newark, New Jersey, where he was seen waving to fans and posing for selfies. The video quickly gained traction, amassing over 1 million likes and 24 million views within a short period of time. Trump has now garnered over 1.1 million followers on the platform.

Trump's decision to join TikTok is seen as a strategic move to further engage with a younger audience and expand his reach beyond traditional news sources. His spokesperson, Steven Cheung, stated that this move is part of an ongoing effort to connect with a younger generation consuming both pro-Trump and anti-Biden content.

It is worth noting that President Joe Biden signed legislation in April that could potentially ban TikTok in the United States. However, Trump's campaign decision to join the platform demonstrates a determination to leave no avenue unexplored in reaching potential voters.

Throughout his political career, Trump has used appearances at UFC fights to cultivate an image of strength and appeal to voters who may not closely follow traditional political news. By joining TikTok, Trump aims to tap into the platform's vast user base, particularly targeting young people and minority voters, including Latino and Black men.

TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, poses a potential national security threat due to concerns over Chinese ownership and data sharing with the Chinese government. Trump's attempt to ban TikTok through executive order was ultimately blocked by the courts after the platform filed a lawsuit.

Despite acknowledging the security risks associated with TikTok, Trump expressed a reluctance to ban it. He cited concerns that a ban would ultimately benefit its rival, Facebook, a platform he continues to criticize in connection with his 2020 election loss to Biden.

Moving forward, it remains to be seen how Trump will utilize TikTok as a communication tool and whether it will prove to be effective in reaching the desired demographics ahead of any potential future political endeavors. Trump's sentencing on the felony charges is scheduled for July 11, and he has expressed intentions to appeal the verdict.