
President-elect Donald Trump considers a 90-day extension for TikTok as the app goes dark in the United States, sparking debate over national security and free speech.
At a Glance
- TikTok voluntarily shut down in the U.S. due to a new law banning it over ties to China
- Trump plans to issue an executive order extending the deadline for ByteDance to find an approved buyer
- The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban, citing national security risks over free speech concerns
- Trump expressed interest in a 50% U.S. ownership of TikTok and intends to work on reinstating the app
- The situation has sparked criticism from China, accusing the U.S. of suppressing the app
TikTok Goes Dark as Trump Considers Extension
Millions of Americans found themselves unable to access TikTok as the popular video-sharing app went dark across the United States – at least, briefly. The shutdown came in response to a new law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its U.S. operations due to national security concerns. As the app disappeared from Google and Apple stores, President-elect Donald Trump signaled his intention to issue an executive order extending the deadline for ByteDance to find an approved buyer.
The bipartisan law, signed by President Joe Biden as part of a foreign assistance package, gained support from both sides of the aisle. The U.S. government has long argued that TikTok could be used by China to collect sensitive information on Americans, a claim that ByteDance and TikTok have consistently denied.
In a swift decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law banning TikTok, prioritizing national security concerns over free speech considerations. The justices acknowledged TikTok’s role in expression but ultimately sided with the government’s assessment of the potential risks posed by the app’s ties to China.
But Trump told Big Tech companies to restore the platform for his inauguration, promising protections for them breaking the law.
“Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Donald Trump said.
Despite the ban, Trump has expressed a desire to find a solution that would keep TikTok operational in the United States. The President-elect has suggested that he would like to see the U.S. have a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture involving TikTok, potentially paving the way for the app’s return.
International Implications and Criticism
The TikTok ban has not gone without criticism, particularly from China. The Chinese government has accused the United States of suppressing the app, viewing the action as part of a broader technological conflict between the two nations. It’s worth noting that TikTok does not operate in China, where ByteDance offers a separate app called Douyin, which adheres to local censorship rules.
“We are grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform. One who has used talk to express his own thoughts and perspectives, connecting with the world and generating more than 60 billion views of his content in the process,” Shou Chew said.
If Trump saves TikTok, he could very quickly win the support of millions of Gen Z voters…It’s almost a shame he can’t run again!