Trump set to implement measures to halt TikTok ban, aide claims

January 17, 2025
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Trump set to implement measures to halt TikTok ban, aide claims

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President-elect Donald Trump is poised to intervene to keep TikTok operational in the U.S., according to his incoming national security adviser, Congressman Mike Waltz.

With the deadline for a potential ban on TikTok looming this weekend, Waltz, a Florida Republican, indicated that Trump would act if the Supreme Court upholds the ban.

The law in question stipulates that TikTok must be sold by its Chinese owner, ByteDance, by Jan. 19, or face prohibition in the U.S.

ByteDance has stated plans to terminate the app for its 170 million American users by Sunday if no action is taken.

Waltz expressed confidence in finding a solution, stating, "We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark."

He highlighted that the law includes a provision for a 90-day extension should ByteDance show "significant progress" toward divestiture, potentially giving Trump additional time to negotiate a solution.

Adding to the speculation, Waltz suggested on Fox News that Trump might issue an executive order to suspend the ban, although it's uncertain if such an order would legally override the congressional legislation.

The law was passed due to national security concerns, with fears that the Chinese government could access user data through TikTok.

In an interesting twist, the New York Times reported that Trump has extended an invitation to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to attend his inauguration on Monday, signaling a significant gesture of goodwill or at least a public show of support for the app.

Trump has previously urged the Supreme Court to delay the ban's implementation, arguing for a "political" resolution.

The bipartisan law passed last year by Congress gave ByteDance a nine-month window to sell TikTok to a U.S.-approved entity or see the app banned. Without updates and new downloads, experts believe TikTok could become obsolete even without a direct ban.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is reportedly exploring options to keep TikTok accessible, according to NBC News, suggesting a bipartisan concern over the app's sudden disappearance.

TikTok and ByteDance have consistently denied any ties to the Chinese government and have opposed the divestiture of the company.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides, with a decision anticipated imminently which could either uphold or overturn the ban.

As the situation unfolds, the future of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance, with significant political maneuvering from both incoming and outgoing administrations to potentially alter its fate.

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