Exclusive
President Trump says his threat to ban TikTok is about China stealing data, but that’s just a cover story … at least according to TikTokers who think he can’t take a joke, and simply wants revenge.
TMZ spoke with Mary Jo Laupp — AKA TikTok Grandma — and DeJuan Booker, a couple of proud TikTok trolls who’ve been on a mission to derail Trump’s presidency along with his businesses … and they think he’s striking back with the potential ban.
Mary Jo made the original TikTok encouraging people to register for Trump’s Tulsa rally and then not show up — a battle cry that spread like wildfire among teens and K-pop fans. She thinks believes he’s still miffed about how it affected his rally, and all his vigor toward banning TikTok is just a grudge.
Laupp says even if he does go through with the ban, it was worth it to show how Gen Z’ers can impact politics — and hopes it motivates them to hit the polls in November.
Meanwhile, DeJuan — the leader of “Gen Savage” and creator of multiple Trump pranks — says Trump’s revenge plot won’t work, because his community will simply move to other platforms if the Prez bans TikTok.
And, he adds … you better believe they’ll keep speaking out against 45.
DeJuan acknowledges his Trump pranks may be seen as petty, but tells us the whole purpose is to let Gen Z know their voice matters and when they come together … they can make a difference.
As we reported, Trump says TikTok has until Sept. 15 to sell it’s U.S. operations to an American company or else … so still plenty of time for TikTokin’ trolls to do their thing.