President-elect Trump stated he would decide TikTok's future after taking office, following the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to divest or face a U.S. ban. While Trump acknowledged the ruling and plans to review the situation, his administration is exploring ways to preserve TikTok's access while addressing data privacy concerns, with discussions involving Chinese President Xi Jinping and TikTok’s CEO.
Trump’s Role and Statements
President-elect Trump stated he would decide TikTok’s future after taking office, following the Supreme Court’s decision.
Trump emphasized that the ultimate decision on TikTok “goes up to me” and promised to review the situation before acting.
On Truth Social, Trump said the Supreme Court’s ruling must be respected and that his decision would come in the near future.
Trump had previously signed an executive order in 2020 to ban TikTok over data privacy concerns, but it was never enacted due to legal challenges.
Recently, Trump has praised TikTok, citing its popularity during his campaign.
Supreme Court Decision
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to divest from the app or face a U.S. ban starting Sunday.
The court ruled that the law does not violate the First Amendment, aligning with national security concerns.
Trump had urged the court to delay the deadline to allow for negotiations, but the justices acted quickly.
Biden Administration’s Position
The Biden administration announced it would not enforce the ban on its final day in office.
Biden’s team left the decision on TikTok’s future to Trump’s incoming administration.
Incoming Administration’s Plans
Trump’s top advisers have stated they will work to preserve TikTok while addressing data privacy concerns.
Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz described TikTok as a “fantastic platform” and expressed a desire to balance its preservation with protecting user data.
Trump’s administration is exploring potential deals to ensure TikTok remains accessible while mitigating national security risks.
Diplomatic and Industry Involvement
Trump discussed TikTok’s fate with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent call.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration and sit with other tech leaders.
Future Implications
Trump’s administration aims to resolve the conflict by addressing privacy and security concerns while maintaining TikTok’s presence in the U.S.
The incoming team will need to navigate national security priorities, public demand for the app, and diplomatic relations with China.
GO DEEPER
President-elect Trump said he would decide the future of TikTok after taking office following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The Supreme Court upheld a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest or face a U.S. ban starting Sunday.
Trump emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with him and stated he would review the situation before acting.
The Biden administration announced it would not enforce the ban on its final day, leaving the decision to Trump’s incoming administration.
Trump had previously signed a 2020 executive order to ban TikTok over data privacy concerns, but it was never enacted due to legal challenges.
Recently, Trump has expressed support for TikTok, citing its popularity during his campaign.
Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz stated the administration would aim to preserve TikTok while protecting user data.
Trump discussed TikTok’s fate with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent call.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration and sit with other tech leaders.
Trump’s administration is exploring a deal to address national security concerns while maintaining the app’s U.S. presence.