Conservative influencers celebrate at TikTok-sponsored Trump inauguration party

WASHINGTON – TikTok earmuffs and Maga hats adorned partygoers at the inauguration celebration on Jan 19 for the incoming President Donald Trump and the video-sharing platform he once tried to ban.

Called the Power 30 Awards, the party occurred hours after

TikTok began restoring services

, and honoured social media influencers who had helped most with Trump’s re-election.

At the party, TikTok influencers recorded moments on small cameras and mingled over an open bar at Sax Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Washington. Free swag flowed: TikTok beanies, shot glasses and Trump merchandise.

The party was hosted by Ms Raquel Debono, known for organising “Make America Hot Again” conservative dating events, and Mr CJ Pearson, co-chair of the Republican National Committee Youth Advisory Council.

“2024 was the first influencer election,” Mr Pearson told Reuters at the party. “When we look at the mandate that President Trump was given, it was because of young voters, and young voters were reached uniquely because of TikTok.”

Trump won only 43 per cent of voters aged 18 to 29 in the 2024 general election, but that was 7 points more than in 2020.

Partygoers also praised Trump for his role in turning TikTok back on.

“Shout out to Donald Trump,” TikTok content creator Bryce Hall, whose posts revolving around “making fun of stupid things” have netted him over 23 million followers, told Reuters. “Now he understands the power of Gen Z.”

TikTok began restoring its services earlier on Jan 19 after Trump said he would revive the app’s access in the US when he returns to power on Jan 20.

Trump said on Jan 19 that US will seek a joint venture to restore the short-video sharing app used by 170 million Americans.

In a message to users hours before the rally, TikTok said: “As a result of president Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US.”

As of Jan 19 evening, the app remained unavailable for download on US app stores, but the TikTok app and website were back online.

TikTok stopped working for US users late on Jan 18

before a law shutting it down on national security grounds took effect on Jan 19. US officials had warned that under Chinese parent company ByteDance, there was a risk of Americans’ data being misused.

TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi

plans to attend the US presidential inauguration

and attend a rally with Trump on Jan 19, a source told Reuters. REUTERS