President Donald Trump isnโt pulling the plug on TikTokโyet. On Friday, he signed an executive order giving the Chinese-owned app 75 more days to operate in the U.S.
His goal? Secure a deal that would bring TikTok under American ownership.
Originally, Congress gave ByteDance, TikTokโs Chinese parent company, until January 19 to divest or face a ban. That deadline passed, and Trump already delayed once. Now, heโs doing it againโpushing the fight into spring.
Trump Says Deal Close, But Needs More Time
In a post on his social media site, Trump said heโs trying to โSAVE TIKTOK.โ According to him, progress has been โtremendous,โ but the deal needs more signatures.
โWe look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal,โ he wrote.
But ByteDance still insists TikTok isnโt for sale. And control over TikTokโs algorithmโthe real prizeโremains in Chinese hands.
Security Concerns Still Linger
That algorithm is at the center of the storm. ByteDance owns it, and U.S. officials say thatโs the problem.
Cybersecurity expert Chris Pierson says as long as China controls the code and the data, nothing changes. โThe risk is still the same,โ he said.
Pierson previously served on Homeland Securityโs Privacy and Cybersecurity Committees. He warned the delay does nothing to reduce the national security threats.
Critics Say Trump Is Violating the Law
Legal experts arenโt buying Trumpโs explanation. Alan Rozenshtein, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, says this move isnโt an โextensionโ at all.
โHeโs just refusing to enforce the law,โ Rozenshtein said. The ban, passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court, is already active.
Companies like Apple and Google, which still offer TikTok in their app stores, are now violating that law, he added.
Lawsuits Pile UpโBut Not Over TikTok Delay
Since Trump took office, his executive orders have triggered over 130 lawsuits. Surprisingly, none have directly challenged his TikTok delay.
That may change. The law allows one 90-day pause, but only if thereโs a deal on the table and Congress is formally notified. Trump hasnโt done that.
Legal analysts say his latest action may cross the line.
TikTok Says It Prioritizes Safety
While Washington debates legality, TikTok insists itโs not a threat.
The company says it stores U.S. user data safely and has strict internal policies. Chinaโs Foreign Ministry also claims it does not and will not request foreign data from companies like ByteDance.
Still, the White House isnโt convinced.
Americans Divided Over TikTokโs Future
Public opinion on TikTok is mixed. A recent Pew Research poll found only one-third of Americans now support a ban. Thatโs down from 50% last year.
Another third oppose it. The rest are undecided.
Among those who want the app banned, data security is the top concern. Many fear China could misuse private information gathered through the platform.
Content Creators Celebrate the Reprieve
The delay is a relief for many creators and small business owners.
Daniel Ryave, who runs @SATPrepTutor on TikTok, said almost all of his tutoring clients come from the app. He has over 175,000 followers and uses the platform to connect with students.
โThis extension will help people continue accessing short-form educational content,โ Ryave said. โItโs not content theyโre finding elsewhere.โ
Like many creators, heโs built his business around TikTokโand a ban could be devastating.
What Happens Next?
The 75-day clock is ticking. Trump must now decide whether to enforce the ban, push Congress for a revised law, or strike a deal with ByteDance.
If no agreement is reached, and the algorithm stays under Chinese control, pressure to act will rise again.
And if Trump extends the delay further without legal cover, lawsuits are almost certain.
Trumpโs TikTok Deadline Puts Pressure on All Sides
Trumpโs TikTok deadline is more than just about an app. Itโs about data, influence, and national security. Itโs also about business, politics, and digital power.
As the extension unfolds, users scroll, creators post, and China waits.
The future of one of the worldโs biggest social platforms now hangs in limboโagain.
