TikTok Livestreams Become Hub for Discussion After Trump’s Conviction
After the conviction of Donald J. Trump on all 34 felony counts in a hush-money trial in a New York court, TikTok users turned to the platform’s livestreaming feature to discuss the verdict. Thousands of people around the world tuned in to these streams, hearing from armchair experts, political commentators, lawyers, and even Michael D. Cohen, the key witness in the case against Trump.
During the livestreams, viewers could send digital gifts in the form of cartoon items, which could be exchanged for monetary payment. Some users praised Cohen for his testimony, while others expressed frustration with the trial’s outcome.
Christian Reeves, a personal injury lawyer with a modest TikTok following, spent the evening reading news articles about the trial to her viewers. She aimed to help people better understand the facts of the case, noting that many users seemed unclear on the details.
Pew Research Center has found that about one-third of 18- to 29-year-olds get their news from TikTok, making creators like Reeves increasingly popular as news aggregators. Reeves, who remains nonpartisan in her livestreams, reads from a variety of sources to provide a balanced perspective.
Political influencer Link Lauren also livestreamed on TikTok, aiming to inform viewers about the trial. He encourages participation from viewers across the political spectrum, but noted receiving messages from disaffected Democrats and independents considering voting for Trump after the verdict.
The use of TikTok as a platform for discussing major news events highlights its growing influence as a source of information and debate among younger audiences. As more creators like Reeves and Lauren use the platform to engage with complex issues, TikTok continues to evolve as a space for informed discussion and dialogue.
