Close All Tabs TikTok's Vibe Shift
Feb 26, 2025
Taylor Lorenz, an internet culture expert and the author of "Extremely Online," joins to dissect the aftermath of TikTok's brief shutdown in the U.S. They explore the frenzy among users and the platform's shifting political landscape. Lorenz highlights TikTok's pivotal role in activism, especially for marginalized voices like those from Palestine, contrasting this with the conservative drift seen in other platforms. The conversation also delves into the challenges faced by creators and the broader implications for free speech in the digital age.
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TikTok's Inauguration Party
- Taylor Lorenz attended TikTok's inauguration party, describing it as a crowded, frat-party-like atmosphere with right-wing content on loop.
- This was the first time TikTok openly supported a US politician, celebrating Trump's second inauguration.
Shou Chew's Attendance
- TikTok CEO, Shou Chew, attended the inauguration, likely to appease the Trump administration and avoid a ban.
- Lorenz suggests this was a strategic move rather than political support, given Trump's responsiveness to flattery.
User Reaction to Pro-Trump Message
- TikTok's user base reacted negatively to the app's message thanking Trump upon its return.
- Lorenz notes TikTok's predominantly progressive user base, making the message jarring.
