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Biden appears in Niall Horan TikTok video while considering banning app

Niall Horan (left) with US President Joe Biden during a St Patrick’s Day Celebration reception and Shamrock presentation ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, during Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s visit to the US for St Patrick’s Day. Picture date: Friday March 17, 2023. (Photo by Niall Carson/PA Images via Getty Images) Niall Carson – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Biden appears in Niall Horan TikTok video while considering banning app

Misty Severi

March 17, 09:58 PM March 17, 09:58 PM

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President Joe Biden is considering banning TikTok, but that didn’t stop him from popping up in pop star Niall Horan’s video on the platform Friday.

The 15-second video showed both men at the White House. Horan performed there for St. Patrick’s Day.

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Horan, who was a member of the popular British boy band One Direction, is from Ireland but partially resides in the United States.

“Hey guys, it’s me. I just wanted to wish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day from the White House, from me,” Horan said in the video.

The president then appeared in the frame beside Horan and said he was also in the White House, joking that it’s where he “hangs out once in a while.”

Biden then patted Horan and said, “I’m happy he’s here. I’m happy he’s here.”

The video was filmed during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration that included guests such as Ireland’s leader, Leo Varadkar. Biden himself is of Irish descent. He has ancestors on his mother’s side who came to the U.S. during Ireland’s Great Famine.

Earlier in the day’s celebration, Biden made multiple cracks at being Irish but jokingly claimed he was not really Irish because he does not drink alcohol.

“There’s still a place called Finnegan’s pub … that’s related to my family,” Biden said. “I’m the only Irishman you ever met, though, that’s never had a drink, so I’m OK. I’m really not Irish.”

READ MORE:  Biden jokes about Irish heritage, says he 'isn't really Irish' because he doesn't drink

Horan’s performance at the White House was one of the final events of the day. He played “Heaven,” “Flicker,” and “This Town,” which was written about Irish immigrants.

“Thanks for having me here,” Horan said. “As a proud Irishman traveling across the world, it’s a major honor for me to be here. Thanks for putting me up to it. There’s a lot of talented Irish singers out there, but to get chosen to represent your country on the grandest of stages is a real honor. So thanks very much.”

Biden’s appearance on TikTok was scrutinized as he weighed a ban on the video-sharing platform. Intelligence officials have already warned U.S. citizens against using the app, citing surveillance and national security concerns. They also warned it would be banned if the Chinese parent company that owns the app does not sell its shares.

© 2023 Washington Examiner



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