Younger Americans are very happy with Trump’s actions.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, one of his first challenges will be dealing with the fate of TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. In an interview with NBC News, Trump signaled that he is likely to grant a 90-day extension to TikTok, preventing the app from being banned immediately upon his inauguration. The decision would give the new administration time to further evaluate the national security risks posed by the platform, while possibly exploring a path toward resolving concerns.
“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at,” Trump stated, referring to the 90-day extension. “It’s appropriate, and it’s something that will likely be done.” However, he made it clear that the situation was complex, noting that “we have to look at it carefully” and that “it’s a very big situation” that requires thorough examination.
The clock is ticking for TikTok, as the platform is set to be banned in the United States at midnight on Sunday. This follows a Supreme Court ruling that upheld a law requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations unless the company can find an American buyer. Concerns over Chinese government influence and the potential for surveillance through TikTok’s access to personal data have driven this legislative action. However, the law also allows the president to grant a one-time 90-day extension if there is substantial progress toward divestiture.
While Trump did not confirm any developments regarding the sale of TikTok, reports emerged that a new California-based company, Perplexity AI, has proposed a merger with TikTok’s U.S. operations. This could potentially be the breakthrough needed to address national security concerns without a full divestiture. However, ByteDance has previously rejected any idea of selling TikTok’s U.S. operations, so the Perplexity proposal would need to be carefully evaluated.
Trump, who previously threatened to ban TikTok during his first term, has softened his stance in recent months, indicating a willingness to find a compromise. On Friday, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, expressed his gratitude to Trump for his “commitment to work with us to find a solution.”
Despite this, the app still faces serious hurdles. TikTok has warned that it will go dark in the U.S. if no resolution is reached by Sunday. This could also lead to legal challenges for companies like Google and Apple, who might be forced to block access to TikTok or face hefty fines for violating the ban.
As tensions over TikTok continue to escalate, Trump’s decision will be pivotal in determining the app’s future in the U.S. His 90-day extension proposal could provide the time necessary to structure a deal that addresses both national security concerns and the app’s continued availability to millions of American users.