President Donald Trump isn’t pulling the plug on TikTok—yet. 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, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, until January 19 to divest or face a ban. That deadline passed, and Trump already delayed once. Now, he’s doing it again—pushing the fight into spring.

Trump Says Deal Close, But Needs More Time

In a post on his social media site, Trump said he’s trying to “SAVE TIKTOK.” According to him, progress has been “tremendous,” but the deal needs more signatures.

“We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal,” he wrote.

But ByteDance still insists TikTok isn’t for sale. And control over TikTok’s algorithm—the real prize—remains in Chinese hands.

Security Concerns Still Linger

That algorithm is at the center of the storm. ByteDance owns it, and U.S. officials say that’s the problem.

Cybersecurity expert Chris Pierson says as long as China controls the code and the data, nothing changes. “The risk is still the same,” he said.

Pierson previously served on Homeland Security’s 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 aren’t buying Trump’s explanation. Alan Rozenshtein, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, says this move isn’t an “extension” at all.

“He’s just refusing to enforce the law,” 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 Up—But 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 there’s a deal on the table and Congress is formally notified. Trump hasn’t done that.

Legal analysts say his latest action may cross the line.

TikTok Says It Prioritizes Safety

While Washington debates legality, TikTok insists it’s not a threat.

The company says it stores U.S. user data safely and has strict internal policies. China’s Foreign Ministry also claims it does not and will not request foreign data from companies like ByteDance.

Still, the White House isn’t convinced.

Americans Divided Over TikTok’s Future

Public opinion on TikTok is mixed. A recent Pew Research poll found only one-third of Americans now support a ban. That’s 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.

“This extension will help people continue accessing short-form educational content,” Ryave said. “It’s not content they’re finding elsewhere.”

Like many creators, he’s built his business around TikTok—and 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.

Trump’s TikTok Deadline Puts Pressure on All Sides

Trump’s TikTok deadline is more than just about an app. It’s about data, influence, and national security. It’s also about business, politics, and digital power.

As the extension unfolds, users scroll, creators post, and China waits.

The future of one of the world’s biggest social platforms now hangs in limbo—again.