Fact check: Is Donald Trump more popular than Taylor Swift on TikTok? Here's debunking US president's claim



Donald Trump claimed to be ‘number one’ on TikTok while misnaming the app. He added that he has surpassed Taylor Swift in terms of popularity on the app.Donald Trump or Taylor Swift: Who is more popular on TikTok?(Reuters/AFP)The US President Donald Trump is back at throwing shade at global pop star Taylor Swift, who recently got married to beau Travis Kelce. At the latest, Trump made big claims about his follower count on TikTok, alleging that he is at the top spot on the app, even surpassing Swift.Donald Trump claims he is ‘number one’ on TikTokWhat did he say? During a press conference at the White House on Monday, July 6, Trump was asked about China’s alleged involvement in the app.“It was announced about two days ago, the new numbers just came out, you know who the number one person in Tic Tac is by far?” Trump said and misnamed the popular app in the US.Donald Trump vs Taylor SwiftHe continued to say, “Trump, me. I’m number one…""Taylor Swift was number eleven. I’m number one on TikTok by far. The numbers just came out… I’m by far number one. It was sent to me by — the list comes out number one and two. I was number one by a lot. So I guess, I don’t know, maybe they are bad, maybe they are not. I know one thing: great American people, tremendous business people, and companies bought it. I called President Xi, and everyone said he was a hard no. I said it’s a good thing for TikTok, but it’s good for us, too. American companies, great ones, own our TikTok, and it is very influential. But I’m number one by a lot.”Fact check- who has more followers on TikTok?So, the question remains-- Is Donald Trump really the most followed person on TikTok? Although Trump did not back up his claims with numbers, Live Mint found out the truth. Turns out, there's no truth to claims made by the President.Donald TrumpAs of July 7, 9:30 am EST, Donald Trump has 16.6 million followers on TikTok with 121.8 million likes to his posts collectively. So far, he is only following two accounts on the platform.View full ImageDonald Trump and Taylor SwiftTaylor SwiftTaylor Swift, on the other hand, with only 3 posts in 2026, has 33.5 million followers with 274.5 million likes to her posts in total. Comparatively, she has almost double the number of followers and even more on the app.Most popular people on TikTokSo, who is the most popular personality on TikTok? Surely neither Donald Trump, nor Taylor Swift.According to Just Jared, Khaby Lame is the most followed person on TikTok with162.3 million followers currently. He is followed by Charli D’Amelio with 159.1 million and MrBeast with 129.1 million followers.Other popular accounts on TikTok are Bella Poarch, Addison Rae, Willie Salim, Zach King, Kimberly Loaiza, BTS, Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, Billie Eilish, Jason Derulo, Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez, Dixie D'Amelio and many more.About the AuthorSneha BiswasSneha Biswas specialises in covering entertainment and pop culture, with a specialisation on Bollywood, Hollywood, OTT platforms, K-pop, K-dramas, and major developments in the US entertainment industry. She believes in telling stories that balance speed with substance, and in making entertainment journalism contextual, culturally aware, and reader-first rather than purely reactive. With over six years of experience in digital media, Sneha currently serves as a Deputy Chief Content Producer at Live Mint. She has spent more than three and a half years with the HT Group and returned to the organisation in February 2025, joining Live Mint to uplift the entertainment section. Over the past year, she has been closely involved in entertainment coverage including breaking news, explainers, trend reporting, box office reports and analysis for the audience. Sneha is Google News certified, having completed training focused on newsroom best practices, digital reporting, and SEO-driven content strategies. Her work reflects a strong understanding of audience behaviour, search trends, and the evolvi

Ahead of Guruji's birthday celebrations at Guruji Ashram in Bhatti Mines on Tuesday, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory. Delhi Traffic police issues advisory ahead of Guruji's birthday celebrations in Bhatti Mines on Tuesday | Representative image of congestion(Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times)The Delhi Traffic Police on Monday issued a traffic advisory ahead of Guruji's birthday celebrations at Guruji Ashram, Bhatti Mines, on Tuesday.In a post on X, the Delhi Traffic Police wrote, "Special traffic arrangements are in place in connection with the Guruji Birthday Celebration at Guruji Ashram, Bhatti Mines, on 07.06.2026. A large number of devotees are expected to attend, and traffic movement is likely to remain affected from the intervening night of 06/07.06.2026 till late on 07.06.2026."It further said, "A religious congregation will be held on 07.06.2026 (Tuesday) at Guruji Ashram, B-13, Bhatti Mines, Mehrauli, New Delhi. A large number of devotees from across India, including VIPs and dignitaries, are expected to attend the celebrations. Devotees will start arriving from the intervening night of 06-07.06.2026, and dispersal is expected to continue till late on 07.06.2026. To ensure smooth traffic management, elaborate arrangements have been made by the Delhi Traffic Police. Commuters are advised to avoid the affected routes and plan their journeys accordingly."Traffic advisory ahead of Guruji birthday celebrationsThe Delhi Traffic Police listed several routes that could be affected, including SSN Marg (Chhattarpur Road), Bhatti Mines Road, the Gadaipur Police Post area, and roads around Guruji Ashram, Bhatti Mines. Additionally, devotees have been advised to reach the Ashram before 5:00 am to avoid congestion and are also advised to avoid the affected routes and use alternate routes wherever possible.The Delhi Traffic Police shared a detailed plan to minimise congestion. Entry into Guruji's Ashram will be permitted via SSN Marg for all devotees and all categories of vehicles. Additionally, separate entry arrangements have been made for different categories of vehicles and visitors.The traffic police have also installed informational signage around the venue for the convenience and guidance of motorists.To ensure smooth parking for devotees and invitees, adequate parking arrangements have also been made by the traffic police inside the Guruji Ashram Complex for all categories of vehicles. Additionally, sufficient informative signages have also been displayed by the organisers for the convenience of devotees. The traffic police have prohibited parking on SSN Marg, adding that vehicles parked improperly on the road will be towed away and prosecuted in accordance with the law.The Delhi Traffic Police also restricted the movement of heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) on Bhatti Mines Road, between Chhattarpur Road (SSN Marg) and the Gurugram Road T-Point, from 12:00 midnight on 6 July to 12:00 midnight on 7 July to ensure smooth traffic flow and prevent congestion.Who is Guruji?According to the official website, Guruji, born on 7 July 1954 in Dugri village of Malerkotla tehsil in Punjab, was also known as Nirmal Singh Ji Maharaj. He obtained a double master's degree in English and Economics from Malerkotla but left everything in 1975 to devote his life to silent spiritual service. He sat at various places, including Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Panchkula, and New Delhi.He took mahasamadhi (leaving the mortal body) on 31 May 2007, yet devotees continue to experience his presence to this day.About the AuthorSwati GandhiSwati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the conversation between Trump and Putin as “business-like and quite constructive.” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the conversation between Trump and Putin as 'business-like and quite constructive.' (Photo by Adrian DENNIS and Gavriil Grigorov / various sources / AFP)(AFP)US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for nearly 90 minutes on Saturday, offering to help find a solution to the war in Ukraine ahead of next week's NATO summit in Turkey, according to the Kremlin.The call came as Trump also held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described their conversation as "very good" and said the two leaders agreed to continue discussions at the NATO meeting.Trump offers to help end warKremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Trump reiterated his willingness to help broker an end to the conflict."The American president once again confirmed his readiness to work towards a rapid end to the fighting and find solutions to overcome the crisis," Ushakov said, according to Reuters.He described the conversation between Trump and Putin as "business-like and quite constructive."Russia reiterates stanceAccording to Ushakov, Putin told Trump that Russia continues to seek "a political-diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with due account of Russia's fundamental approach."Ushakov also accused Ukraine and its European allies of "counting on extending and even escalating the conflict, and on terrorism against civilians," referring to Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.He added that Putin said Russian forces were "confidently advancing, liberating one locality after another" on the battlefield.Dispute over KostiantynivkaThe Kremlin's account followed Russian claims that its forces had captured the strategically important city of Kostiantynivka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.However, Zelensky and Ukraine's General Staff rejected the claim, saying Ukrainian forces continue to control the city.Russia has maintained that any peace settlement must include full Russian control over the Donbas region, a condition Ukraine has repeatedly rejected.US envoys to continue mediationUshakov said Trump told Putin that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would continue efforts to broker a peace deal and were prepared to make another visit to Moscow.He also said Putin expressed hope that US diplomatic efforts related to the Iran conflict would "allow for mutually acceptable long-term solutions to be found on key issues of a settlement."Putin also renewed his invitation for Trump to visit Moscow, Ushakov said.Zelensky: 'Real prospect' to end warIn a post on Telegram, Zelensky said he discussed developments along the 1,200-km front line with Trump."There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning," Zelensky said.He added that he and Trump agreed to continue their discussions during the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey.
US President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House in a first meeting since February. The meeting comes at a crucial time for the Israeli PM, who has kickstarted his campaign for upcoming October elections.US President Donald Trump is likely to meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House this month(REUTERS)US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought a meeting with the Republican President at the White House, adding that it could take place as soon as next week.Trump announced the upcoming meeting with Netanyahu on Axios and said, "We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is," and said that his meeting with the Israeli PM would take place after he returns from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit.Trump to meet Netanyahu: Here's what we knowCiting an Israeli official, the report said that the proposed meeting next week might be too soon to take place because of the US President's trip to Ankara, where the NATO summit is set to take place on 7-8 July. The official added, "It might take place the week after."The development comes after Netanyahu's office on Friday (local time) called Trump to congratulate him on the 250th Independence Day of the United States. His office added, "During their conversation, the Prime Minister said that the United States is a guarantor of global freedom, and that Israel greatly values the close relationship between the two nations. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the United States."The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu would be the first since the two leaders met in February in a dramatic Situation Room meeting where the latter presented his plan to launch a joint war against Iran.Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with Trump at the White House could prove beneficial for the Israeli minister as he commences his campaign for the upcoming elections in October, where polls currently have him trailing.Trump-Netanyahu tiesTies between the two leaders have worsened since the US announced a ceasefire in April with Iran, a move that did not align with Netanyahu's regime change plan in the Islamic Republic. According to the report, those around the US President are now becoming increasingly skeptical and disillusioned with Netanyahu in the months following their February meeting.A US official said, "Many of Trump's closest advisers think that Bibi was wrong about everything." In a phone call last month, Trump slammed Netanyahu over Israel's escalation in Lebanon, calling the latter "crazy" and accusing him of being ungrateful.The straining of ties occurred as the two leaders, who were once the closest allies, have parted ways in the last two months amid the war and other regional issues on national security and foreign policy objectives, along with their political interests at home.The US President also pressed Netanyahu to halt the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)'s offensive in Lebanon, since the fighting became an obstacle to the Iran talks, and to sign a framework agreement that sought the IDF's initial withdrawal from Beirut's south.Despite the Israeli PM's reservations about signing an agreement with Tehran, Trump signed a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend the ceasefire with the Islamic Republic and launch fresh nuclear talks, a deal that Netanyahu was not made a part of.Earlier this week, The Washington Post reported that the US warned Tehran of Israel's possible plan to kill its top negotiators, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, underscoring the worsening ties between Washington and Tel Aviv.While an official confirmation regarding the meeting between the two leaders is pending, the focus will be on whether Netanyahu is able to woo the US President once again and restore the ties.About the AuthorSwati GandhiSwati Gandhi is a digital journalist
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