Donald Trump, gearing up for his presidency, has turned his attention to TikTok. On Friday, he urged the Supreme Court to temporarily halt a looming law that would ban the popular app in the U.S. unless it’s sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by January 19.
The high-stakes showdown is set for oral arguments on January 10.
Trump’s attorney, D. John Sauer, also his pick for U.S. solicitor general, emphasized the need for more time. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute,” Sauer wrote, adding that pausing the ban would allow the incoming administration to explore a political resolution.
The controversial legislation, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, was signed into law by President Joe Biden last April after passing Congress with bipartisan support. It mandates ByteDance to divest TikTok to an American company or face a ban.
Trump Claims He’s the Ultimate Deal Maker
In Friday’s filing, Trump hinted he could broker a solution before the court rules. Sauer touted Trump’s negotiation skills, stating, “President Trump alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the Government.”
This marks a surprising pivot for Trump, who sought to ban TikTok in 2020 but was thwarted by the courts. Last month, he met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, even expressing a newfound “warm spot” for the app.
Justice Department Defends Ban Amid National Security Fears
The Justice Department doubled down on the law, citing fears that the Chinese government could access Americans’ data or manipulate content. TikTok, however, fired back, arguing the ban infringes on free speech rights under the First Amendment.
While Chinese officials deny the app poses any security risk, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit previously upheld the legislation. The Supreme Court now faces intense pressure to issue a decision—or delay the ban indefinitely—within days of hearing arguments.
With time ticking down, Trump’s gambit adds another layer of intrigue to a case that could reshape the tech landscape and U.S.-China relations.
Buzz is growing louder as rumors swirl about Elon Musk’s potential interest in acquiring TikTok, with insiders suggesting a bold move to merge the platform with his burgeoning X social media empire. Musk, a known ally of President-elect Trump, has sparked intrigue with his unpredictable business ventures, and this potential acquisition would undoubtedly shake up the tech and social media landscapes.
The speculation gained traction amid Trump’s latest efforts to delay TikTok’s ban, which could force the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations. Musk, who transformed X (formerly Twitter) into a multifaceted platform combining social media, financial services, and long-form content, might see TikTok as the perfect addition to his digital ecosystem.
A Musk-TikTok Merger: A Game-Changer?
Industry insiders believe Musk could leverage TikTok’s massive global user base to further expand X’s reach and functionality. TikTok’s appeal lies in its short-form video dominance, making it a lucrative complement to X’s current offerings. If Musk takes the reins, analysts predict he might integrate TikTok’s viral algorithm with X’s features, creating a powerhouse platform unlike anything the social media world has seen.
Such a merger could also align with Musk’s vision of creating a super app, combining entertainment, communication, and e-commerce. TikTok’s vibrant creator economy and Musk’s push for innovation could be a match made in tech heaven.
