Trump's Incoming Administration Seeks to Keep TikTok Alive Amidst Legal Ban

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Trump's Incoming Administration Seeks to Keep TikTok Alive Amidst Legal Ban
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Representative Mike Waltz, incoming national security adviser for President-elect Donald Trump, stated the new administration will work to keep TikTok operational in the US if a deal can be reached. This comes as a federal ban on TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, looms. While the law mandates a ban on new downloads unless ByteDance divests the platform, Waltz highlighted a provision allowing for a 90-day extension if significant progress is made. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are pushing for a 270-day extension to avoid disrupting the livelihoods of Americans who use TikTok. Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to allow TikTok to continue operating until new owners are found, but legal experts are questioning his authority. Adding to the complexity, TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi plans to attend Trump's inauguration, raising concerns about the message this sends regarding the US stance on China and national security.

Incoming US President Donald Trump 's national security adviser, Representative Mike Waltz, stated on Thursday that the new administration aims to keep TikTok operational in the United States if a satisfactory deal can be reached. Waltz highlighted a provision in the law allowing for a 90-day extension if 'significant progress' is made toward a divestiture. He emphasized that this effectively grants President Trump time to maintain TikTok's presence.

Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer urged for additional time to find an American buyer for TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, stressing the need to avoid disruption for millions of Americans who rely on the platform. Schumer pointed out that Senate Democrats had attempted to pass a bill extending the deadline for finding a solution. The New York Times reported that Trump is considering an executive order to permit TikTok to continue operating despite a looming legal ban until new owners are identified. However, it remains unclear whether Trump possesses the legal authority to override the divestiture requirements imposed by Congress. A group of US lawmakers is advocating for a 270-day extension, warning that a ban could negatively impact Americans who earn a living through TikTok. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump transition, stated that President Trump has consistently expressed his desire to save TikTok, asserting that 'there's no better deal maker than Donald Trump.'The current legal landscape dictates that a federal ban, barring a last-minute reprieve, will take effect. This ban would prevent new TikTok downloads on Apple or Google app stores if ByteDance fails to divest the platform. While users who have already downloaded TikTok could theoretically continue using it, the law also prohibits US companies from providing services that facilitate the distribution, maintenance, or updates of the app once the ban commences. President Biden, who is leaving office, has no plans to intervene and block the ban in his final days. The president can, however, grant a one-time, 90-day delay to the ban if he certifies to Congress that substantial progress has been made and binding legal agreements are in place to enable a complete divestiture within three months. Adding another layer of complexity, TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi plans to attend the US presidential inauguration on January 20 and sit among high-profile guests invited by Trump, according to a source. This decision has been met with criticism, particularly from Representative Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, who questioned the message this sends regarding Trump's stance on China and national security. The US Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the legality of the TikTok ban, with the possibility of upholding the law, overturning it, or granting a temporary pause to allow for further consideration. ByteDance, the privately held parent company of TikTok, is approximately 60% owned by institutional investors, with its founders and employees each holding 20% of the company. It employs over 7,000 individuals in the United States.

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