FILE - TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 31, 2024. President Joe Biden's campaign is embracing TikTok to court younger voters ahead of the U.S. presidential elections, but U.S. adults seem to be split about whether the video-sharing app should even operate in the country. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
The TikTok ban saga in the U.S. has reached a critical point. President Joe Biden has decided not to enforce the ban before leaving the White House, leaving TikTok’s fate in Donald Trump’s hands. This decision has sparked controversy and uncertainty, with millions of American users anxiously awaiting the outcome.
The clock is ticking for TikTok. Unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sells the app to a U.S. company by Sunday, January 19, TikTok could go dark for over 170 million U.S. users. This ban was initially set into motion due to national security concerns over ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government. However, Biden’s decision not to act leaves Trump in the spotlight.
The Supreme Court is also expected to weigh in. A decision, possibly on this matter, is set to be announced at 10 a.m. Friday. This adds another layer of complexity to TikTok’s uncertain future.
The debate over TikTok has crossed party lines. Democrats, who previously voted to force ByteDance to divest TikTok, are now advocating for more time. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated, “More time is needed to find an American buyer and avoid disrupting millions of lives and influencers who rely on the platform.”
Republicans, however, are not as sympathetic. Senator Tom Cotton blocked a Democratic attempt to extend the deadline, accusing TikTok of being a “Chinese Communist spy app.” He argued the app had plenty of time to find a buyer, labeling it a threat to U.S. security.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration. His presence could signal discussions about TikTok’s future. Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, hinted at a possible extension if a viable deal is on the table. Waltz emphasized, “Trump wants to protect user data while creating space for a deal.”
Trump’s relationship with TikTok has been tumultuous. Initially, he called for its ban, citing security risks. However, during his 2024 campaign, Trump embraced the platform, using it to connect with younger voters. He even credited TikTok for helping him win more youth votes and pledged to “save TikTok” during his campaign.
Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a legal challenge against the TikTok ban. ByteDance and TikTok users argue the ban violates their rights. The Justices seem likely to uphold the law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok. If the Court rules in favor of the ban, Trump’s administration will face immense pressure to enforce it.
Tech giants are also closely watching the TikTok saga. Rumors suggest that Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, and Jeff Bezos might attend Trump’s inauguration. Their presence underscores the broader implications of TikTok’s fate on the tech industry.
The next few days will be critical for TikTok. If ByteDance fails to find a buyer and the Supreme Court upholds the ban, TikTok could vanish from U.S. app stores. However, Trump’s unpredictability leaves room for a last-minute deal. As the deadline looms, millions of users, influencers, and tech leaders wait to see if TikTok will survive in America.
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