Donald Trump’s 19-year-old son, Barron, is reportedly being considered for a top position at TikTok following claims from the president that users “owe” him for saving the platform. The suggestion came from Jack Advent, Trump’s 22-year-old former social media manager, who said appointing Barron could help broaden the app’s appeal among younger audiences.
In an interview with Daily Mail, Advent emphasized TikTok’s youthful demographic and expressed hope that President Trump would bring Barron and other young Americans onto the platform’s U.S. board to ensure it continues to attract its core audience. Barron, currently attending classes at New York University’s Washington, D.C. campus, has not publicly commented on the reports.
According to First Lady Melania Trump, Barron played a key role in his father’s 2024 campaign and had even encouraged Trump to appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast. The president’s relationship with TikTok has been complex. During his first term, Trump accused the app of posing national security risks by potentially giving the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ data.
In January 2025, Trump reversed an earlier ban on TikTok, allowing the platform to remain active in the U.S. while negotiations for a new ownership structure took place. He later signed an executive order enabling U.S. investors to access the app’s recommendation algorithm. Under the new arrangement, American companies now own about 65 percent of TikTok’s U.S. version, while Chinese investors—including ByteDance—retain less than 20 percent.
The investor group includes Oracle, led by tech billionaire Larry Ellison, alongside Rupert Murdoch and Dell CEO Michael Dell. Trump referred to them as “great investors” during a press conference.
The president has previously suggested that TikTok could “prioritize MAGA-related content,” though he later clarified that “every group will be treated fairly.”
The Independent has reached out to the White House, Jack Advent, and TikTok for comment.
