The uncertainty surrounding the future of TikTok in the United States has intensified, raising critical questions about Donald Trump’s intentions regarding the popular app. As a legal case unfolds, speculation grows over whether Trump aims to ban or save TikTok.
Here’s the latest on Trump’s position regarding the potential TikTok ban.
Trump Pushes to ‘Save’ TikTok from Ban
Donald Trump has made his stance clear on the TikTok ban controversy by submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. In this brief, he contends that with his anticipated return to the White House, he should oversee TikTok’s fate in America. The case is poised for a hearing in January 2025 and revolves around legislation requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a ban due to national security concerns.
This legislation stipulates a divestment deadline of January 19, 2025. If not complied with, TikTok will be expelled from Google and Apple’s app stores. Trump argues that this timeline restricts his ability to manage the issue after he takes office. He claims to possess the necessary expertise and authority to safeguard national security while allowing access to the 170 million American users of TikTok. Trump has previously voiced his support for the platform, noting his discussions with TikTok’s CEO to seek a solution that honors free speech.
In his brief, Trump advocates for an extension of the divestment deadline to facilitate his personal negotiations aimed at balancing national security needs with First Amendment protections. The brief emphasizes, “As the incoming Chief Executive, President Trump has a particularly powerful interest in and responsibility for those national-security and foreign-policy questions, and he is the right constitutional actor to resolve the dispute through political means.”
The Supreme Court is set to conduct oral arguments on January 10, 2025, and Trump’s involvement may significantly shape TikTok’s future in the U.S.
