Trump Could Suspend The US TikTok Ban For 60 To 90 Days
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TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has been fighting against the app’s potential US ban for a long time. However, the company’s efforts have been in vain. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision on the case soon. If unfavorable, Donald Trump could temporarily suspend the US TikTok ban.
Trump reportedly considering issuing an executive order to suspend the US TikTok ban
Trump has been a potential wild card in favor of ByteDance for some time now. During his first term, the new US president supported banning the short-video platform, but he expressed a change of heart last year.
Trump will take office on January 20, while the deadline set for the bill signed by Joe Biden in May 2024—with bipartisan majority support—is January 19. That means that Trump will find the law already in place, which complicates things. That said, The Washington Post revealed that Trump’s cabinet is considering issuing an executive order that could give ByteDance an additional 60 to 90 days to sort of things.
The “anti-TikTok law” states that ByteDance has to sell its US stake before January 19. Otherwise, app stores will have to remove TikTok from their listings. The company will also no longer be able to continue operating in the United States.
TikTok reportedly ready to close immediately in the US
US officials said last year that the app will no longer be accessible through traditional means after the ban, but it will still work—temporarily. Those who have downloaded it will be able to continue using it. However, the lack of basic server maintenance will cause the platform to shut down gradually. That said, a report from The Information claims that TikTok plans to immediately close the app for US users if a solution to the problem is not found.
Trump’s potential suspension of the TikTok ban could give the company more time to negotiate or find less extreme alternatives to a sale with US officials. That said, the Washington Post report says that the legal basis behind Trump’s potential move is not entirely clear.
The US Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether to delay the implementation of the US ban on the platform. However, experts say a decision in favor of ByteDance is unlikely. Lower courts already rejected all of the company’s appeals last year.
In late 2024, Trump was more vocal about his position on TikTok. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” he said after receiving an outpouring of support following his arrival at TikTok. Trump also urged the Supreme Court to delay the implementation of the law so he could seek a “political resolution.”
More pro-TikTok fronts are opening
These final days will be key to TikTok’s future in the United States. Senator Ed Markey, who supported last year’s bill, will file the “Extend the TikTok Deadline Act.” If passed, it will offer 270 days of grace to the platform. Plus, NBC revealed that even the Biden administration could be looking at options to give ByteDance more time in the country. Amid the multiple “pro-TikTok” fronts that seem to be opening, Snap shares fell 4%. The change in the shares of TikTok’s competitor service could be a sign of good things to come for the Chinese platform. Anyway, nothing is certain yet.
