As Montana bans TikTok, the ‘unofficial ambassador’ weighs in

Christian W. Poole, a Montana resident and TikToker, isn’t sure what’s next following his state’s pending ban on the app.

Christian W. Poole

Last December, Montana banned TikTok on government devices. Now, it is banning the hugely popular platform outright. Where does that leave the content creators?

Who is he? Christian W. Poole is a 20-year-old born and bred Montanan. He’s a merchandiser for Pepsi by day, but Poole has also amassed a hefty social media following, mainly on TikTok.

• In a state with roughly 1.1 million people, there isn’t a whole lot of insight on social media about what life is like in the Treasure State. That’s where Poole comes along.
• In his videos, he shares his insider musings about the culture, everyday life, and quirks of the picturesque state; as well as the friction experienced by locals as more out-of-state residents seek to call it home. A follower dubbed him the “unofficial ambassador” of Montana, and he has since run with the term.
• “In Montana, we have a very pristine way of life that’s very private, very peaceful, [and] very nature [oriented],” Poole told NPR.
• Poole says he makes hardly any money from his 400,000+ following on the app, due in part to the notoriously unpredictable TikTok creator fund. But for him, money isn’t really a big concern about the ban. “I possibly lose connection to all those followers and I lose my main source of connection with all the people that I’ve grown to love and befriend … This is my most favorite hobby in the world.”

Want more on TikTok? Listen to Consider This on TikTok vs. everybody.

What’s the big deal? As reported by NPR’s Ayana Archie, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 419 on Wednesday,…