President Trump has signed an executive order delaying the TikTok ban in the U.S. for 75 days. This move gives the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, more time to sell a stake in the platform or reach a deal with the Trump administration. The order, signed on Monday evening, comes after a tumultuous weekend for TikTok.
The app was initially banned on Sunday due to national security and user privacy concerns. However, just 14 hours later, TikTok was back online, with the company attributing the reversal to efforts by President Trump. Trump indicated that numerous wealthy individuals have reached out to him regarding TikTok.
He suggested that a joint venture, possibly involving a 50-50 partnership between the United States and ByteDance, could be a viable solution. The president also hinted that potential new trade tariffs on China might depend on reaching an agreement over TikTok’s ownership. He warned that if Beijing rejects the deal, it could be seen as a hostile act.
Trump delays TikTok ban decision
The Biden administration had previously expressed concerns that China could use TikTok for espionage and political manipulation. Critics of the ban argue that it infringes on freedom of speech.
ByteDance had ignored a law requiring it to sell its U.S. operations to avoid a ban that was set to take effect on Sunday. However, the implementation was deferred to the new administration. Trump’s executive order puts him at odds with some members of his party.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton has warned that companies facilitating TikTok could face significant legal and financial consequences. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended Trump’s inauguration on Monday alongside other technology leaders, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos. YouTube star MrBeast also sparked curiosity by posting a TikTok video from a private jet en route to make an undisclosed offer for the platform.
As debates around national security and freedom of speech continue, Trump’s executive order represents his ongoing challenge to the popular video-sharing app.
