WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has decided not to implement a ban on the social media platform TikTok, which was scheduled to take effect just before he leaves office on Monday. This decision will leave the future of the app up to President-elect Donald Trump.
Last year, Congress enacted legislation that mandates TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, based in China, to divest from the app by January 19, the eve of the presidential inauguration. According to a U.S. official, the outgoing administration has opted to pass on the enforcement of this law and any potential ban to Trump.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official highlighted that this decision reflects the internal deliberations within the Biden administration. Trump previously called for a ban on TikTok but has since indicated a commitment to keeping the app operational within the United States, even though specifics on how this will be managed remain unclear from his transition team.
Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, is anticipated to attend Trump’s inauguration and will hold a prominent position among the attendees, as the incoming national security adviser suggests efforts may be made to ensure TikTok remains available. Incoming adviser Mike Waltz mentioned on a Fox News program that although the law could potentially enforce a ban by this Sunday, there is also provision for an extension, provided a workable agreement is in progress.
The campaign to retain TikTok has received bipartisan support, similar to the earlier efforts to impose a ban. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer shared that he spoke with Biden about the need to extend the deadline to prevent disruption to millions of users, including influencers who have built substantial followings on the platform. Schumer expressed these sentiments on the Senate floor, stating the necessity for more time to locate an American buyer.
On the contrary, attempts by Democrats to propose legislation for delaying the ban were hindered when Republican Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas opposed it. Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, argued that TikTok has had sufficient time to seek a buyer. He has made strong allegations against TikTok, branding it as a platform that compromises children’s safety, collects personal data, and disseminates harmful content.
Besides Chew, other tech leaders including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos are also expected to be present at the inauguration.
Recently, the Supreme Court has been reviewing a legal challenge concerning the legislation put forth by TikTok and ByteDance, as well as the app’s users. Observations during the hearings suggested the possibility of the Justices upholding the law, which requires ByteDance to divest TikTok on grounds of national security or risk facing a ban in a crucial market.
Should the Supreme Court rule in favor of the law, Waltz emphasized that Trump views TikTok as a valuable platform utilized by many Americans, particularly for connecting with younger demographics during his campaign. Waltz described Trump as a negotiator and hinted that plans are in the works to facilitate an agreement regarding the app.
On a separate note, during a Senate hearing, Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, deflected questions about her stance on approving a TikTok ban. Trump has shifted his perspective on the app, attempting to ban it during his first term citing national security issues. He has since joined TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign, capitalizing on the platform’s potential to engage younger voters, primarily through content that resonates with male audiences. He has vowed to “save TikTok” during his campaign, crediting the app for enabling him to secure a larger youth demographic.
