President-elect Donald Trump announced during an exclusive phone interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker that he is considering a 90-day extension for TikTok, potentially delaying its ban in the U.S. The decision is expected to address the ongoing concerns surrounding the app’s Chinese ownership and its future in the country.
The Pending Deadline and Extension
TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, faces a Sunday deadline to sell the app’s U.S. operations to a non-Chinese buyer or face a nationwide ban. While Trump has not yet made a final decision, he stated that granting an extension is a likely option, noting the complexities involved.
“The 90-day extension is something we will most likely approve because it’s appropriate and necessary to carefully evaluate the situation,” Trump said. If confirmed, the announcement is expected on Monday, the day he officially takes office.
The bipartisan law passed last year allows the president to grant a single 90-day extension under certain conditions, including progress toward a sale and binding legal agreements to finalize the deal. However, no such agreements have been made public, and without a resolution, the app may temporarily go offline.
TikTok’s Uncertain Future
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has expressed gratitude to Trump for exploring options to keep the app operational in the U.S. Despite this, the app’s future remains uncertain. TikTok has stated it would “go dark” on January 19 unless it receives explicit assurances from the incoming administration about non-enforcement of the ban.
The Biden administration, in its final days, refrained from enforcing the law and left the matter for Trump’s team to address. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed TikTok’s plans to suspend operations as a “stunt,” emphasizing that enforcement actions would fall under the next administration.
Trump’s Shift in Stance
This marks a significant reversal for Trump, who during his first term signed executive orders to ban TikTok and WeChat, citing national security concerns. Those efforts were blocked by the courts. His current openness to extending TikTok’s operations comes after discussions with a billionaire U.S. investor in the app.
The Supreme Court recently upheld the law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, rejecting the app’s argument that the measure violated free speech protections. In response, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “The Supreme Court decision was expected. I will take the time needed to review the situation and make a decision soon. Stay tuned!”
Broader Concerns and Protests
Lawmakers supporting a sale or ban argue that ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government pose a national security risk, citing concerns over propaganda and data collection from American users. At the same time, TikTok’s fans have protested the potential ban, with some users turning to alternative Chinese apps despite similar privacy concerns.
Next Steps
Trump is expected to finalize his decision shortly after taking office. If granted, the 90-day extension would provide more time to find a buyer for TikTok’s U.S. operations, potentially avoiding an immediate ban. The app’s CEO is set to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday, along with other tech executives, highlighting the importance of this decision for the tech industry and millions of American users.
