Trump Considers Extending TikTok’s Deadline Amid Legal Uncertainties
In a recent development that could impact millions of TikTok users in the United States, President-elect Donald Trump suggested he might extend the deadline for the popular social media platform to address ownership concerns.
During a phone interview with Kristen Welker of NBC News‘ “Meet the Press” on Saturday, Trump mentioned he is leaning towards granting a 90-day reprieve to TikTok.
This comes as the current administration prepares to hand over responsibilities to Trump’s team next Monday.
TikTok, owned by the Beijing-based ByteDance, faces a looming deadline this Sunday to sell its U.S. operations to a non-Chinese entity or risk being banned nationwide.
Trump hasn’t made a definitive decision but expressed that a temporary extension is likely. “The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” he explained.
This news arrives amidst a backdrop of legal and political maneuvering. The Biden administration, soon transitioning power, has indicated it will not enforce the impending ban, placing the decision firmly in Trump’s court.
TikTok has even hinted at going offline temporarily unless further clarity is provided by the outgoing administration.
The White House’s response, articulated by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, labeled TikTok’s potential temporary shutdown as “a stunt” and emphasized that any immediate decisions should be deferred until after the inauguration.
Jean-Pierre stated, “We have laid out our position clearly and straightforwardly: actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration. So TikTok and other companies should take up any concerns with them.”
Trump’s comments mark a notable shift from his previous term when he initiated efforts to ban TikTok along with the Chinese messaging app WeChat—efforts that were thwarted by legal challenges.
His reconsideration follows discussions with American investors in TikTok, reflecting the complexities of managing a platform that doubles as a major media property and a collector of vast amounts of personal data.
As Trump’s inauguration approaches, the tech world watches closely. TikTok CEO Shou Chew is slated to attend, along with other prominent tech figures, adding layers of anticipation to the unfolding scenario.
The fate of TikTok hangs in balance, with potential implications for its 170 million American users and broader U.S.-China relations in the digital space.
