President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly weighing action to delay TikTok’s looming ban as the app’s deadline to sell approaches. Congress passed a law last year requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its American assets, citing national security concerns.
The ban will reportedly take effect Sunday, Jan. 19, unless lawmakers take action.
The potential ban sparked concern among TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users. Many rely on the app for income and content creation. Analysts highlighted risks, including the potential rise of unregulated Chinese alternatives with similar security issues.
Trump’s incoming administration expressed a willingness to address security concerns while preserving the platform.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew plans to attend Trump’s inauguration. Trump invited him to sit “in a position of honor on the dais, where former presidents, family members, and other important guests traditionally are seated,” according to reports. This development marks a significant shift in Trump’s relationship with TikTok. His first administration sought to ban the platform outright.
Reports indicated Trump warmed to TikTok after his campaign saw a surge in popularity on the app during the 2024 election.
Incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said, “TikTok itself is a fantastic platform. We’re going to find a way to preserve it but protect people’s data, and that’s the deal that will be in front of us.”
Outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration also explored ways to soften the ban’s impact during its final days. Officials reportedly considered options to avoid an immediate shutdown. This includes measures to allow the app to continue operating temporarily while ensuring compliance with the law.
TikTok challenged the divestiture requirement in court, arguing it violates the First Amendment right to free speech.
The Supreme Court heard arguments last week and appeared poised to uphold the law. Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to postpone the ban for 60-90 days to allow further negotiations.
Biden’s administration has not committed to blocking the ban but delayed immediate enforcement. Biden’s allies, including lawmakers like Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., called on the White House to extend the timeline.
“I’m hopeful that President Biden will listen to the millions of voices who don’t want the lights to go out on this app,” Khanna said.
Congressional supporters of the ban argued TikTok’s ties to Beijing pose risks to user data and content control.
Chief Justice John Roberts, during Supreme Court arguments, pointed to Congress’ finding that TikTok’s parent company is subject to Chinese laws, saying, “So are we supposed to ignore the fact that the ultimate parent is, in fact, subject to doing intelligence work for the Chinese government?”
