President-elect Donald Trump has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the justices to block a law requiring the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok to be sold or shut down by January 19. The request comes as the platform faces mounting legal challenges and a looming deadline set by legislation signed earlier this year by President Joe Biden.
In April, President Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which mandates the sale or shutdown of TikTok unless it is transferred to a non-Chinese entity. The law, aimed at addressing national security concerns over potential Chinese government influence, was upheld by a unanimous ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit earlier this month.
READ: Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs Accuses Democrats Of Exploiting Migrant Workers For Economic Gains
TikTok has filed its own emergency application to the Supreme Court, arguing that the law infringes on First Amendment rights and risks silencing millions of Americans who use the platform for communication on politics, commerce, arts, and other public matters. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case, with oral arguments scheduled for January 10.
In his brief, Trump argued against the ban, proposing to resolve the issue through negotiations once he takes office on January 20. The brief highlighted Trump’s confidence in his ability to address national security concerns while preserving the platform.
“President Trump alone possesses the consummate deal-making expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the government — concerns which President Trump himself has acknowledged,” the brief stated.
READ: Elon Musk Sparks Controversy By Calling Part Of MAGA Base “Contemptible Fools”
While Trump has previously pursued actions against TikTok during his first term, he has expressed skepticism about legislative bans, particularly citing concerns about benefiting competitors like Meta.
“If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I don’t want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in March.
Trump’s brief also noted his extensive following on TikTok, with 14.7 million followers, emphasizing the platform’s importance for political communication and freedom of expression.
TikTok filed a separate brief Friday, asserting that the law violates the First Amendment and that the government has failed to substantiate its claims of national security risks.
READ: Florida House Democrat Hillary Cassel Switches Parties, Boosting GOP Supermajority
“The government has banned an extraordinary amount of speech; demands deference to unsubstantiated predictions a future risk will materialize; and gets facts wrong when it bothers to provide them,” TikTok’s filing said. “Congress’s unprecedented attempt to single out petitioners and bar them from operating one of the nation’s most significant speech venues is profoundly unconstitutional.”
The Supreme Court’s decision will likely shape the future of TikTok in the U.S. and influence broader discussions on the balance between national security and free speech. With oral arguments set for January 10, the court’s ruling could arrive just as Trump assumes office, adding further weight to the unfolding legal and political battle over the platform’s fate.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.