Donald Trump’s handling of the TikTok ban is a textbook example of psychological manipulation targeting Gen Z. Here’s how the strategy worked:
1. Manufactured Crisis
By framing TikTok as a national security threat, Trump exploited the illusory truth effect—repeating a claim until it felt true. Targeting TikTok, a Gen Z cultural hub, triggered reactance psychology, where restrictions fuel rebellion, making his eventual reversal more impactful.
2. Perception of Power
Trump’s decision to lift the ban created the illusion he was more powerful than Congress. This leveraged the halo effect, positioning him as an independent disruptor, resonating with Gen Z’s distrust of traditional institutions.
3. Oversimplified Narratives
The ban boiled down to “Trump vs. Congress,” exploiting Gen Z’s reliance on quick, surface-level content. This relied on heuristics—mental shortcuts that simplified the issue, obscuring the deeper manipulation at play.
Takeaway for Gen Z
Trump’s TikTok manoeuvre reveals how easily emotional triggers and oversimplified narratives can be used to manipulate even the most skeptical generation. The solution? Stay critical, dig deeper, and question who benefits from the spectacle.
Just noting that Adam's calculations of fines for Apple and Google are order of magnitude inflated: 'installs << active users', while he equates the two.
Although they are still very substantial.
In any case, Oracle is the most critical actor here.
Yes, he acknowledges that's a big number but if you're doing these calculations for your boss you do want to give them the "this is the worst case scenario"
Not only are you at a disadvantage with the or/and bet structure, he wins if he loses by not planting the corn! Make him plant an avocado seed instead, most useless thing you can grow in a garden.
Absolutely not! I am principled! Not insane!
You have to tell us whether you have TikTok already installed on your phone first. (That may not turn out to matter, but it does seem important now.)
TikTok currently not available on the IOS App Store. Tik...Tok...Tik...Tok...
15 hours later... Nope.
But available via Oracle :)
Chicken Dinner!
The TikTok Ban: A Psychological Power Play
Donald Trump’s handling of the TikTok ban is a textbook example of psychological manipulation targeting Gen Z. Here’s how the strategy worked:
1. Manufactured Crisis
By framing TikTok as a national security threat, Trump exploited the illusory truth effect—repeating a claim until it felt true. Targeting TikTok, a Gen Z cultural hub, triggered reactance psychology, where restrictions fuel rebellion, making his eventual reversal more impactful.
2. Perception of Power
Trump’s decision to lift the ban created the illusion he was more powerful than Congress. This leveraged the halo effect, positioning him as an independent disruptor, resonating with Gen Z’s distrust of traditional institutions.
3. Oversimplified Narratives
The ban boiled down to “Trump vs. Congress,” exploiting Gen Z’s reliance on quick, surface-level content. This relied on heuristics—mental shortcuts that simplified the issue, obscuring the deeper manipulation at play.
Takeaway for Gen Z
Trump’s TikTok manoeuvre reveals how easily emotional triggers and oversimplified narratives can be used to manipulate even the most skeptical generation. The solution? Stay critical, dig deeper, and question who benefits from the spectacle.
GQ
Great post!
Just noting that Adam's calculations of fines for Apple and Google are order of magnitude inflated: 'installs << active users', while he equates the two.
Although they are still very substantial.
In any case, Oracle is the most critical actor here.
Yes, he acknowledges that's a big number but if you're doing these calculations for your boss you do want to give them the "this is the worst case scenario"
Agree on the Oracle point.
Not only are you at a disadvantage with the or/and bet structure, he wins if he loses by not planting the corn! Make him plant an avocado seed instead, most useless thing you can grow in a garden.
yes, I did not optimize this well on several fronts! That's a great suggestion, or maybe broccoli.