President-elect Donald Trump plans to ensure TikTok remains accessible in the United States if a viable resolution is reached before the app faces a ban, according to his incoming national security adviser. This comes as the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, approaches a critical deadline to divest its U.S. operations.
Mike Waltz, a Republican representative from Florida, stated on Fox News, “We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark.” Waltz highlighted that the law permits a 90-day extension for ByteDance to finalize the divestiture process. “As long as a viable deal is on the table, that essentially buys President Trump time to keep TikTok going,” he added.
The ban on TikTok, which serves over 170 million monthly U.S. users, is scheduled to take effect unless the app’s ownership changes hands by January 19. Waltz noted that if the Supreme Court upholds the law enforcing the ban, Trump would step in to address the situation.
In its final days, the Biden administration is also reportedly exploring ways to prevent TikTok from disappearing. NBC News reported that discussions are ongoing regarding measures to maintain TikTok’s availability for American users.
ByteDance announced plans to shut down the app for U.S. users by Sunday unless a resolution is reached. Meanwhile, The New York Times revealed that Trump is contemplating an executive order to allow TikTok to continue operating temporarily despite the legal ban. However, uncertainties remain regarding whether the president has the authority to issue such an order, given the congressional requirements for divestiture.
A coalition of U.S. lawmakers is advocating for a 270-day extension to avert the ban, warning that its implementation could harm Americans who depend on TikTok for their livelihoods. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, emphasized the president’s commitment to finding a resolution, stating, “President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to save TikTok, and there’s no better deal maker than Donald Trump.”
According to Reuters, President Joe Biden has no intention of intervening to block the ban if the Supreme Court fails to act during his final days in office. Biden’s legal capacity to intervene is restricted unless ByteDance presents a credible plan to divest TikTok. The law, enacted in April, mandates a ban on new TikTok downloads from app stores operated by Apple and Google if ByteDance fails to complete its divestiture.
For users who already have TikTok installed, the app would remain operational theoretically. However, the law prohibits U.S. companies from supporting the app’s distribution, maintenance, or updates once the ban is in effect.
The president has the option to delay the ban for 90 days by certifying to Congress that substantial progress has been made toward divestiture and that binding legal agreements are in place for completion within the three-month period.
Separately, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is reportedly scheduled to attend the U.S. presidential inauguration on January 20 as a high-profile guest invited by Trump, according to a source cited by Reuters.
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating whether to uphold the law enforcing the ban, overturn it, or pause its implementation to allow more time for review.
Privately owned ByteDance’s structure is notable, with institutional investors like BlackRock and General Atlantic holding approximately 60%, while the company’s founders and employees each hold 20%. ByteDance employs more than 7,000 people in the United States.
This situation underscores the complexities surrounding TikTok’s fate, with its widespread popularity clashing with national security concerns and legal constraints. Both the outgoing and incoming administrations are navigating uncharted territory to balance these competing priorities.