People work inside the TikTok Inc. building in Culver City, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2024. House Republicans are moving ahead with a bill that would require Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States even as President Donald Trump is voicing opposition to the effort.

  • TimLovesTech (AuDHD)(he/him)English
    86•1 month ago

    People work inside the TikTok Inc. building in Culver City, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2024. House Republicans are moving ahead with a bill that would require Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States even as President Donald Trump is voicing opposition to the effort.

    Former President… emphasis on former. As a candidate, his opinion shouldn’t carry anymore weight than any other citizen.

    • @IcePee@lemmy.beru.coEnglish
      38•1 month ago

      I was told that it was convention to use the highest government title that a person received once they leave government. Personally, I don’t think that explanation holds much water. We don’t really hear, for example of President Obama any more. Nor do we hear Secretary of State Clinton. On a practical matter, it can cause confusion so outside propaganda, I don’t see much utility in it.

      • @schizo@forum.uncomfortable.businessEnglish
        24•1 month ago

        convention to use the highest government title that a person received once they leave government

        Listen, if everyone calls Carter ‘former president Jimmy Carter’ (and if you look at any news stuff, they do!), we can call Trump ‘former president’ too.

      • moxEnglish
        15•1 month ago

        I was told that it was convention to use the highest government title that a person received once they leave government.

        I have heard of that convention, but only in formal address (not in journalism or casual conversation). I don’t know if it’s official protocol anywhere or just an urban legend.

        In this context, I think it’s important to realize that he is not the president, that he was impeached twice, and that he is a convicted felon. His opinion does not and should not be given the same weight as that of The President of the United States.

        Also, I don’t see any reference to him at all in the article. It looks like OP is editorializing.

      • ThurstylarkEnglish
        8•1 month ago

        There is a title he currently holds, and which deserves a higher rank by mere exclusivity’s sake…

        Impeached Former President

    • @Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      -1•1 month ago

      I see where you’re coming from but in the US, when you’re president you hold the title forever. I wouldn’t call Obama “former president”, he still holds the president title.