Trump considers executive order to 'save TikTok', according to reports
President-elect Donald Trump is contemplating the possibility of issuing an executive order that would postpone the sale or shutdown of TikTok, as reported by WaPo. Read Full Article at RT.com
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The platform is poised to close down for 170 million American users just a day before the inauguration of the US President-elect.
President-elect Donald Trump is contemplating an executive order that could postpone the enforcement of a US law requiring TikTok's divestment or closure, which might provide the widely-used social media platform with a temporary stay, as reported by The Washington Post.
The legislation, enacted by Congress and approved by President Joe Biden last year, demands that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest its US operations by January 19, 2025. If not adhered to, TikTok would be barred from US app stores and cut off from necessary infrastructure, effectively halting its operations in the country.
According to The Washington Post, Trump has been “mulling ways to save the day,” including the possibility of issuing an executive order to extend the compliance deadline by 60 to 90 days, thereby facilitating further negotiations.
TikTok, meanwhile, is preparing to “go dark” for its 170 million US users as of Sunday. Insider sources, as reported by Reuters, state that the app would display a pop-up message to American users explaining the ban and offering them a chance to download their data. This strategy would exceed the law's requirements, which only mandate that existing users retain access without new downloads.
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on TikTok’s appeal regarding the law. In recent oral arguments, the justices seemed to emphasize national security issues over possible free speech concerns.
During his initial term, Trump sought to ban TikTok, citing security risks related to its Chinese ownership. However, he shifted his viewpoint during the latest campaign, remarking: “For all of those who want to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump. The other side is closing it up, but I’m now a big star on TikTok.”
In December, Trump reportedly held a meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, indicating a change in his position regarding the platform. Additionally, Trump’s legal team has asked the Supreme Court to pause the ban's implementation while they pursue a political resolution.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
President-elect Donald Trump is contemplating an executive order that could postpone the enforcement of a US law requiring TikTok's divestment or closure, which might provide the widely-used social media platform with a temporary stay, as reported by The Washington Post.
The legislation, enacted by Congress and approved by President Joe Biden last year, demands that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest its US operations by January 19, 2025. If not adhered to, TikTok would be barred from US app stores and cut off from necessary infrastructure, effectively halting its operations in the country.
According to The Washington Post, Trump has been “mulling ways to save the day,” including the possibility of issuing an executive order to extend the compliance deadline by 60 to 90 days, thereby facilitating further negotiations.
TikTok, meanwhile, is preparing to “go dark” for its 170 million US users as of Sunday. Insider sources, as reported by Reuters, state that the app would display a pop-up message to American users explaining the ban and offering them a chance to download their data. This strategy would exceed the law's requirements, which only mandate that existing users retain access without new downloads.
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on TikTok’s appeal regarding the law. In recent oral arguments, the justices seemed to emphasize national security issues over possible free speech concerns.
During his initial term, Trump sought to ban TikTok, citing security risks related to its Chinese ownership. However, he shifted his viewpoint during the latest campaign, remarking: “For all of those who want to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump. The other side is closing it up, but I’m now a big star on TikTok.”
In December, Trump reportedly held a meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, indicating a change in his position regarding the platform. Additionally, Trump’s legal team has asked the Supreme Court to pause the ban's implementation while they pursue a political resolution.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
