You are here

  • Home
  • Donald Trump joins the TikTok video platform he once sought to ban

Donald Trump joins the TikTok video platform he once sought to ban

Donald Trump joins the TikTok video platform he once sought to ban
Donald Trump’s attempt to ban TikTok in 2020 when he was president was blocked by the courts. (AP)
Short Url

https://arab.news/wkfnn

Updated 02 June 2024
Reuters
Follow

Donald Trump joins the TikTok video platform he once sought to ban

Donald Trump joins the TikTok video platform he once sought to ban
  • The account, President Donald J. Trump with the address @realdonaldtrump, had more than 450,000 followers by 0800 GMT
Updated 02 June 2024
Reuters
Follow

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has joined TikTok, the short video social media platform that is owned by China-based tech giant ByteDance and that he tried to ban as president, ahead of the US elections in November.
Politico, which first reported the news, said he posted a launch video on his account on Saturday night. The video showed Trump greeting fans at an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight in Newark, New Jersey.
The account, President Donald J. Trump with the address @realdonaldtrump, had more than 450,000 followers by 0800 GMT.
ByteDance is challenging in courts a US law that came into effect in April requiring it to sell TikTok by next January or face a ban. The White House says it wants to see Chinese-based ownership ended on national security grounds, but not a ban on TikTok.
TikTok has argued that it will not share US user data with the Chinese government and that it has taken substantial measures to protect the privacy of its users.
Trump’s attempt to ban TikTok in 2020 when he was president was blocked by the courts. He said in March that the platform was a national security threat but also that a ban on it would hurt some young people and only strengthen Meta Platforms’ Facebook, which he has strongly criticized.
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign joined the app in February.

Topics: TikTok Donald Trump

Related

US drops Trump order targeting TikTok, plans its own review. (File/AFP)
Media
US drops Trump order targeting TikTok, plans its own review
Trump says he’ll act to ban TikTok in US
Media
Trump says he’ll act to ban TikTok in US

Israeli Foreign Ministry backtracks on message of condolence over Pope Francis’ death

Israeli Foreign Ministry backtracks on message of condolence over Pope Francis’ death
Updated 25 April 2025
Arab News
Follow

Israeli Foreign Ministry backtracks on message of condolence over Pope Francis’ death

Israeli Foreign Ministry backtracks on message of condolence over Pope Francis’ death
  • Ministry ordered removal of post hours after it was published, citing ‘error’
  • Move appears to be tied to outspoken criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, West Bank
Updated 25 April 2025
Arab News

LONDON: Israel’s Foreign Ministry has backtracked on a message of condolence shared on social media following the death of Pope Francis, deleting the post just hours after it was published.

The message, which appeared on the official X accounts of several Israeli embassies around the world, read: “Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing.” It was accompanied by an image of the pontiff at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site for Jewish people.

The Foreign Ministry later ordered the post to be taken down and instructed ambassadors not to sign books of condolence at Vatican missions worldwide, according to Israeli media reports.

The reversal reportedly sparked frustration among diplomats, especially in predominantly Catholic countries, and prompted internal criticism of the ministry’s leadership.

Raphael Schutz, Israel’s former ambassador to the Vatican, said: “I think the decision is a mistake. We shouldn’t keep score like this after someone’s death.”

Schutz and other diplomats argued that retracting condolences risked damaging Israel’s image among the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.

While the Foreign Ministry said the original post was published “in error,” the decision to remove it appears tied to Pope Francis’ recent criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

The pope, who died on Monday aged 88 after suffering a stroke and heart failure, had emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

In his final Easter message he had repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and described the humanitarian situation there as “dramatic and deplorable.”

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said that the late pope “was very close to the community of Gaza, the parish of Gaza.”

Pope Francis said of Israel’s actions in Gaza in November 2023: “This is not war; this is terrorism.” His remark drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials and media, including an editorial in The Jerusalem Post accusing him of offering “unconditional support for Hamas.”

Aside from a message of condolence from President Isaac Herzog, who expressed the hope that the pope’s memory would “inspire acts of kindness and hope for humanity,” Israeli leaders have remained largely silent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar did not issue any public statement or social media posts.

The decision not to engage was met with criticism from Israeli commentators and members of the public, who argued that it did not reflect the views of most Israelis.

Political and religious leaders from across the world have expressed their condolences. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent official messages mourning the death of the head of the Vatican City State.

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years, will be laid to rest in Rome on Saturday. Leaders from across the world, including the Arab region, are expected to attend. It remains unclear whether Israel will send an official delegation.

Topics: Pope Francis Israel War on Gaza

Related

A message board for the late Pope Francis is covered with writings from Catholic devotees outside St. Peter Parish.
Middle-East
Syrian president hails Pope Francis for solidarity in ‘darkest moments’
‘Heartbroken’ Christians in Gaza recall Pope Francis’ nightly calls during Israeli war
‘Heartbroken’ Christians in Gaza recall Pope Francis’ nightly calls during Israeli war

SRMG Media Solutions, Veyron ink deal to drive regional ad growth

SRMG Media Solutions, Veyron ink deal to drive regional ad growth
Updated 24 April 2025
Arab News
Follow

SRMG Media Solutions, Veyron ink deal to drive regional ad growth

SRMG Media Solutions, Veyron ink deal to drive regional ad growth
  • The partnership allows Veyron Marketing’s clients to tap into SMS’s advertising offerings
  • Agreement is underpinned by a shared vision to advance the region’s marketing ecosystem, companies say
Updated 24 April 2025
Arab News

RIYADH: SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Veyron Marketing, a leading media buying and marketing agency in Saudi Arabia and a subsidiary of Naif Alrajhi Investment. This strategic alignment aims to elevate the regional media and marketing landscape by enabling Veyron Marketing’s clients to access SMS’s dynamic portfolio of advertising solutions, including innovative digital formats, branded content, and experiential advertising.

As a next-generation, data-driven media solutions company, SMS delivers innovative, results-focused advertising strategies. By utilizing proprietary first-party data, advanced AdTech solutions and AI-driven audience segmentation, SMS creates personalized campaigns that drive growth, innovation and profitability. As the exclusive media partner for SRMG’s prestigious brands, SMS manages a distinguished media portfolio that includes Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Al Eqtisadiah, Akhbaar24, Arab News, Hia, Sayidaty, Billboard Arabia, Manga Arabia and thmanyah. With a global reach of more than 170 million users, SMS delivers engaging content across a diverse range of platforms, including digital and social media, websites, apps, newsletters, TV, audio channels, podcasts, print, and experiential IPs. 

Veyron Marketing has built a strong reputation for its innovative marketing strategies and expertise in media planning and buying. This MoU comes at a pivotal time as both SMS and Veyron continue their growth trajectories. Through this partnership, SMS will extend its footprint into traditional media formats, a key strength of Veyron’s offering, enabling more holistic, 360-degree media solutions for brands and advertisers.

The agreement is underpinned by a shared vision to advance the region’s marketing ecosystem by fostering innovation, expanding digital capabilities, and unlocking new commercial opportunities. Both SMS and Veyron bring a deep understanding of the Saudi market, complemented by extensive global reach, positioning them to drive long-term value for advertisers.

Ziad Moussa, Managing Director of SMS, stated: “This MoU represents a significant step forward in our mission to transform the media and marketing landscape. By combining our respective strengths—Veyron’s local expertise and our global reach—we are poised to deliver integrated, high-impact campaigns that drive growth and innovation across the Kingdom and the region.”

Mohammed Al Esmail, Managing Director at Veyron Marketing, added: “Our alignment with SMS opens up powerful new opportunities for our clients. By integrating our traditional media strength with SMS’s advanced digital and content capabilities, we are enabling advertisers to connect with audiences through more meaningful, data-driven, and multi-platform strategies.”

With this strategic MoU, SMS reinforces its commitment to redefining media and advertising in the MENA region and beyond. To learn more about how SMS can transform your advertising strategy, visit https://srmgms.com or contact partner@srmgms.com.

Topics: SRMG Veyron Marketing

Related

SRMG, Naif Alrajhi Investment to power regional media and advertising ecosystem
Media
SRMG, Naif Alrajhi Investment to power regional media and advertising ecosystem
SRMG unveils new advertising arm ‘SMS’ to boost data-driven campaigns
Media
SRMG unveils new advertising arm ‘SMS’ to boost data-driven campaigns

YouTube marks 20 years with spotlight on MENA creator economy

YouTube marks 20 years with spotlight on MENA creator economy
Updated 23 April 2025
Arab News
Follow

YouTube marks 20 years with spotlight on MENA creator economy

YouTube marks 20 years with spotlight on MENA creator economy
  • Platform reveals that Saudi-based channels earning 7 figures or more increased by 40 percent year over year, with total reach of 20 million adults
  • YouTube says it remains committed to the region and its content creators as it enters third decade
Updated 23 April 2025
Arab News

LONDON: YouTube has released new data highlighting the rapid growth of the content creator economy in the Middle East and North Africa, as the platform marks its 20th anniversary.

The data, published on Wednesday, shows a year-on-year increase in the number of channels earning seven figures or more in revenue in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt.

“As YouTube turns 20, we celebrate the phenomenal work of creators across MENA and their role in driving the region’s popular culture,” Javid Aslanov, head of YouTube in MENA, said.

“These creative entrepreneurs skillfully leveraged YouTube’s diverse formats to share their voices and also build thriving businesses that reach global audiences. We’re proud to be able to support them in their journey and can’t wait to see what the next 20 years holds.”

YouTube was launched in 2005, with the first video — “Me at the Zoo” featuring co-founder Jawed Karim — uploaded on April 23 of that year. Since then, the platform has hosted an estimated 14 billion videos, according to a January report from the University of Massachusetts.

Beyond sheer volume, YouTube has grown into a global hub for culture, learning, and entertainment. The platform now shares revenue with over 3 million creators, artists, and media partners worldwide, including more than half a million who started their channels over a decade ago.

In the MENA region, YouTube’s reach continues to expand. As of May 2024, the platform reached  20 million people aged over 18 in Saudi Arabia, 7.5 million in the UAE, and over 1.7 million people aged 25–54 in Qatar.

According to YouTube’s latest figures, as of December 2024,  the number of channels earning seven figures or more in the Kingdom increased by 40 percent year over year.

Egypt also saw a 60 percent increase in channels reaching seven-figure annual revenues, while the UAE experienced a 15 percent growth during the same time period, reflecting YouTube’s support for its partners and contributions to the creator economy. 

Globally, YouTube has paid out $70 billion to creators, artists, and media companies over the past three years.

The data also underscores the international appeal of MENA creators. Over 95 percent of watch time for channels based in the UAE comes from outside the country, alongside more than 60 percent for Egyptian channels.

YouTube introduced its Arabic-language interface in 2010 to broaden access across the region, and in 2012 launched the YouTube Partner Program in MENA, allowing creators to monetize their content.

Over the years, the platform has amplified a wide range of regional voices — from Saudi satirical shows such as “Noon Al-Niswa” by Hatoon Kadi and the animated series “Masameer,” to Egypt’s Mohamed Abdelhafez, whose agriculture-focused channel has racked up over 100 million views.

Some of MENA’s most memorable YouTube moments include Queen Rania of Jordan receiving the YouTube Visionary Award, the Harlem Shake at the Pyramids of Egypt, AboFlah’s record-breaking fundraiser for refugees, and Thamanyah’s Guinness World Record podcast episode on relationships.

As it enters its third decade, YouTube said it will continue to invest in supporting the region’s content creators — key players in the fast-growing MENA creator economy.

Topics: Youtube Google

Related

Pakistani YouTube star charged with blasphemy over perfume
Pakistan
Pakistani YouTube star charged with blasphemy over perfume
Egyptian YouTuber Ahmed AbouZaid detained on illegal currency trading charges
Media
Egyptian YouTuber Ahmed AbouZaid detained on illegal currency trading charges

SABCO Media names Omar Othman new chief executive officer

SABCO Media names Omar Othman new chief executive officer
Updated 24 April 2025
Arab News
Follow

SABCO Media names Omar Othman new chief executive officer

SABCO Media names Omar Othman new chief executive officer
  • Omani media group says appointment part of strategic shift toward regional expansion
Updated 24 April 2025
Arab News

LONDON: SABCO Media, one of Oman’s leading media groups, has appointed Omar Othman as its new chief executive officer.

The group — which includes SABCO Art, SABCO Media and SABCO Press — operates across radio broadcasting, digital media, TV production and outdoor advertising. It described the appointment as a “key milestone” in its strategic expansion as it enters “a new phase of innovation and growth.”

Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, chairman of SABCO Media, said that Othman’s “diverse expertise across media and advertising industries positions us to embark on a new chapter — one that elevates our products and services to new heights, in line with the rapid evolution of the sector.”

“We are confident this will further enrich the media and advertising landscape in Oman and the wider region,” he added.

Omar Othman brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in media, digital transformation and strategic partnerships. He has held senior roles at prominent regional media organizations including Al Aan TV, OSN and MBC Group. Throughout his career, Othman has played a pivotal role in content development, digital expansion, and establishing impactful commercial partnerships across television, digital streaming platforms and integrated media services.

Othman said: “I am excited to join SABCO Media at such a pivotal moment in its journey. With its rich legacy and dynamic team, we are poised to reshape storytelling, brand-building and audience engagement in the region. I look forward to leveraging my regional experience in partnerships and business growth to support the group’s ambitious expansion strategy.”

His appointment signals a strategic shift as SABCO Media aims to play a leading role in the Middle East’s evolving media landscape. The company is part of SABCO Group, established in 1977, with investments spanning real estate, perfumes, sports, media and other industries.

Topics: SABCO Media Omar Othman Oman

SRMG, Naif Alrajhi Investment to power regional media and advertising ecosystem

SRMG, Naif Alrajhi Investment to power regional media and advertising ecosystem
Updated 23 April 2025
Arab News
Follow

SRMG, Naif Alrajhi Investment to power regional media and advertising ecosystem

SRMG, Naif Alrajhi Investment to power regional media and advertising ecosystem
  • Partnership with Phi Advertising enhances Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising by combining Phi and SMS assets, offering diversified across the MENA region
  • Partnership with Veyron Marketing to elevate the regional landscape by providing clients access to SMS’s dynamic portfolio of innovative digital formats, branded content, and experiential advertising solutions
Updated 23 April 2025
Arab News

RIYADH: SRMG, the MENA region’s largest integrated media group, and Naif Alrajhi Investment, a leading Saudi investment firm with a diversified portfolio and a track record of leading portfolio companies in the media sector regionally, announced Wednesday a strategic partnership designed to advance innovation and growth across the media and advertising industries. This partnership focuses on two strategic pillars: Expanding Phi’s Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising footprint and partnering with Veyron Marketing to drive innovation in media and marketing. 

The agreement brings together SRMG’s newly launched SRMG Media Solutions (SMS), a next generation data-driven advertising entity representing a portfolio of renowned brands including Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News and Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Arab News, Hia Magazine and Thmanya, with Naif Alrajhi Investment’s diversified assets.  

Through the partnership, Phi, a key player in the Middle East’s Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising sector, offering a dynamic range of solutions from traditional billboards to cutting-edge digital displays, will amplify its reach, supported by SMS’s cross-platform content distribution across digital, social, TV, and print channels. 

Moreover, Veyron Marketing, a leading player in Saudi Arabia’s advertising industry, renowned for its innovative marketing solutions and robust media planning and buying capabilities, will gain access to SRMG Media Solutions’ (SMS) dynamic portfolio of advertising offerings, including innovative digital formats, branded content, and experiential advertising. 

The partnership is underpinned by a shared vision to foster innovation, expand digital capabilities, and unlock new commercial opportunities for both parties. Together, SMS and Veyron bring a deep understanding of the Saudi market, further strengthened by SRMG’s extensive global reach enabling them to drive long-term value for advertisers. 

SRMG CEO Jomana R. Alrashid stated, “This partnership is a convergence of vision, impact and capability. By uniting Phi’s comprehensive presence and Veyron’s operational expertise, combined with SRMG Media Solutions’ services and reach of over 170 million users, we are creating a dynamic ecosystem that empowers brands to engage audiences with unmatched relevance and impact.” 

Naif Saleh Alrajhi, Chairman & CEO of Naif Alrajhi Investment, commented, "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering innovative advertising solutions, creating exceptional opportunities for both regional and global advertisers. By partnering with SRMG and SRMG Media Solutions with our own assets, we are positioning brands to engage with audiences in new and meaningful ways. The strength of Naif Alrajhi Investment lies in our diversified portfolio and strong presence across key sectors, which allows us to offer unique, high impact opportunities that go beyond traditional media. This Partnership not only leverages the incredible growth in Saudi Arabia but also aims to shape the future of the media and marketing landscape globally."  

The partnership underscores SRMG’s expansion through SMS, which leverages a global audience of over 170 million users across platforms such as Asharq News, podcasts, and experiential activations. This, coupled with Naif Alrajhi Investment’s diversified portfolio, positions the parternships to drive economic growth and redefine regional advertising standards. 

For brands seeking to leverage this partnership, visit https://srmgms.com/ or contact partner@srmgms.com. 

Topics: SRMG

Related

SRMG Media Solutions, Penske Media partner to expand global footprint for MENA brands
Media
SRMG Media Solutions, Penske Media partner to expand global footprint for MENA brands
SRMG unveils new advertising arm ‘SMS’ to boost data-driven campaigns
Media
SRMG unveils new advertising arm ‘SMS’ to boost data-driven campaigns

Latest updates

Saudi aid chief launches Sama’a program in Tunisia for children affected by hearing loss
Saudi aid chief launches Sama’a program in Tunisia for children affected by hearing loss
Saudi, French foreign ministers discuss Gaza crisis and upcoming peace conference
Saudi, French foreign ministers discuss Gaza crisis and upcoming peace conference
Guardiola says Man City must show ‘spirit’ to get back on top
Guardiola says Man City must show ‘spirit’ to get back on top
Tickle your taste buds at LuLu’s World Food Festival
Tickle your taste buds at LuLu’s World Food Festival
Copa del Rey final referee breaks down over Real Madrid TV pressure
Copa del Rey final referee breaks down over Real Madrid TV pressure

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.