Trump to Issue Executive Order to Reinstate TikTok Amid U.S. Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President-elect Donald Trump announced Sunday that he plans to issue an executive order on Monday to temporarily reinstate TikTok in the U.S., extending the deadline for its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to find an approved buyer for its U.S. operations.
This announcement comes after millions of U.S. TikTok users woke up to find the app unavailable on their devices. Both Google and Apple removed TikTok from their app stores, complying with a federal law mandating ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations by Sunday due to national security concerns.
Trump’s Executive Order to Grant Extension
Trump’s upcoming executive order aims to provide ByteDance with a 90-day extension to negotiate a sale. The order will also shield companies involved in maintaining TikTok’s operations during this period from legal liabilities.
“Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, emphasizing the cultural and communication value of TikTok.
Trump also floated the possibility of the U.S. holding a 50% ownership stake in a new joint venture for TikTok’s U.S. operations. However, the specifics of this proposal remain unclear.
National Security Concerns and Legal Challenges
The federal law banning TikTok, signed by President Joe Biden in April with bipartisan support, cited national security risks stemming from TikTok’s Chinese ownership. Officials expressed concerns over the app’s data collection practices and its potential vulnerability to manipulation by Chinese authorities.
TikTok and ByteDance sued on First Amendment grounds, but the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law on Friday, ruling that national security interests outweighed free speech concerns.
ByteDance has consistently resisted selling TikTok, and no clear buyers have emerged. Recent bids include a $20 billion cash offer from an investor group led by Kevin O’Leary and Frank McCourt and a proposal from artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI.
TikTok Goes Dark in the U.S.
On Saturday night, TikTok began halting services in the U.S., catching many users off guard. A pop-up message greeted users attempting to access the app, stating, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The app was removed from Apple’s and Google’s app stores, along with other ByteDance-created apps such as CapCut, Hypic, and Lemon8. Existing users can still use the apps on their devices, but in-app purchases and updates are no longer available.
Trump’s Plan and ByteDance’s Response
Trump previously supported a TikTok ban but has since shifted his stance. In a Saturday interview with NBC News, he suggested granting ByteDance a 90-day extension to secure an approved buyer.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew thanked Trump in a video, expressing optimism about working with the incoming administration to keep the app operational in the U.S. “We are grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform,” Chew said.
International and Domestic Backlash
The app’s suspension has sparked criticism in China, with political commentators accusing the U.S. of suppressing free speech. Hu Xijin, a former editor for the state-run Global Times, called the ban “the darkest moment in the development of the internet.”
Domestically, concerns persist over the impact of the ban on TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users and its broader implications for internet freedom.
Next Steps
Trump’s executive order, expected on Monday, will temporarily ease tensions between ByteDance and the U.S. government. However, the clock is ticking for TikTok to secure a buyer or face a renewed ban.
As the nation awaits Trump’s inauguration and his executive order, TikTok’s fate remains uncertain. This evolving saga underscores the complexities of balancing national security with digital freedom and global commerce.
Source : Swifteradio.com
