President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office on January 20, but the future of TikTok in the United States could be determined a day earlier. If ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, does not separate its American operations, the platform may face a nationwide ban. Trump is prepared to challenge this through legal channels.
Trump Requests Court Intervention
According to Bloomberg, Trump has asked the Supreme Court to delay the implementation of a law introduced by the Biden administration. This legislation mandates the sale of TikTok’s American assets by January 19. Trump has urged the court to provide additional time post-inauguration to negotiate a suitable resolution for TikTok’s operations in the US. While the president-elect has not explicitly questioned the constitutionality of the law, he expressed concerns about its potential impact on freedom of speech.
In his appeal, Trump emphasized his “unrivaled deal-making skills” and political will to address national security concerns while preserving the platform. However, he did not disclose the specifics of a potential deal with ByteDance or outline a timeline for its completion.
Upcoming Court Hearing and Concerns
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments from stakeholders on January 10. If ByteDance does not divest TikTok’s US operations, the ban could take effect on January 19. Trump has argued that delaying the process would allow the court to make a more balanced decision. Officials in his administration have raised concerns about TikTok’s data collection practices, suggesting that the app could be used by foreign adversaries to influence American citizens.
TikTok representatives, however, view a ban as an extreme measure and caution against restricting free speech. The platform’s American content creators have also voiced opposition, fearing the impact on their livelihoods.
Shifting Stance on TikTok
Initially, Trump supported banning TikTok but softened his stance after analyzing the activity of his voter base on the platform, reminds NIX Solutions. In December, he met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to discuss the issue. During his first term, Trump proposed selling TikTok’s US operations to an American company. He now considers an outright ban a dangerous precedent for restricting free speech.
As the January 19 deadline approaches, TikTok’s fate remains uncertain. We’ll keep you updated as the situation evolves.