President Trump has signed an executive order delaying the TikTok ban for 75 days. This gives the app’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, more time to sell a stake in the platform or reach an agreement with the U.S. government. Trump said in the Oval Office that many rich people have called him about TikTok.
When asked why he changed his mind about banning the app since 2020, he said it was because he got to use it. He suggested a possible 50-50 partnership between the U.S. and ByteDance, but did not give more details. The president also said that new trade tariffs on China could depend on a deal over TikTok’s ownership.
He warned that if China rejected a deal, it would be seen as a hostile act. The Biden administration had said that China could use TikTok for spying and political manipulation.
Trump delays TikTok ban decision
Those against a ban have cited freedom of speech as a reason to keep the app available. ByteDance had previously ignored a law that required it to sell its U.S. operations to avoid a ban. Trump’s order puts him at odds with many Republican members of Congress.
Senator Tom Cotton posted on X that companies helping TikTok could face large fines. He noted that the Department of Justice, shareholder lawsuits, and state attorneys general could all bring liability. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended Trump’s inauguration along with other tech leaders like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.
Earlier on Monday, YouTube star MrBeast posted a TikTok video from a private jet, hinting that he was going to make an offer to buy the platform. Other companies, billionaires, and celebrities have also shown interest in buying TikTok, including Elon Musk and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary.
