The popular video-sharing platform TikTok may receive a temporary reprieve from its impending shutdown, as President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he is likely to grant a 90-day extension following his inauguration on Monday.
Speaking to NBC News, Trump stated that he would “most likely” extend the deadline for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations. The deadline is currently set for midnight Sunday, following a Supreme Court ruling upholding a bipartisan-backed law banning the app unless it is sold to an American company.
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In a statement issued Friday, TikTok expressed disappointment in the Supreme Court’s decision and called on the Biden administration to ensure the ban would not be enforced.
“The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans,” the company stated.
TikTok warned that without intervention, it would be “forced to go dark,” leaving millions of users without access to the app.
President-elect Trump’s position on TikTok has evolved over time. Once a staunch critic of the app due to its ties to the Chinese government, Trump has since softened his stance, acknowledging the platform’s role in fostering free expression among millions of Americans.
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“He has said repeatedly that he believes TikTok is an app that tens of millions of Americans are expressing their First Amendment rights on, and the federal government can’t just shut off that constitutional right,” said Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s incoming White House press secretary, during a recent interview.
However, Trump has maintained that the “best outcome” would be for TikTok to be sold to an American company, ensuring U.S. control over its operations and data security.
Entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary has stepped forward with a $20 billion cash offer to purchase TikTok, calling the situation “the most interesting, complicated, crazy situation.” O’Leary argued that the safest option would be to sell the platform to an American syndicate to address national security concerns.
Congress and lawmakers from both parties have long raised alarms over TikTok’s ties to the Chinese government, warning that the app could be used for espionage or to collect user data. The Senate recently approved legislation mandating the sale of TikTok as part of a larger foreign aid package.
READ: Trump Holds “Very Good” Call With Chinese President, Discusses Trade, Fentanyl, And TikTok
As the clock ticks down to the midnight deadline, TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance. Trump’s suggestion of a 90-day extension provides a glimmer of hope for the app, but uncertainty remains.
The president-elect’s decision is likely to be closely watched by lawmakers, tech leaders, and millions of TikTok users who rely on the platform for content creation and community engagement. With Trump set to take office Monday, all eyes will be on his next move regarding TikTok.
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