Donald Trump fulfills his promise and delays TikTok ban by 75 days

As he promised and just hours after starting his second term, President Donald Trump of the United States signed an executive order delaying the 75-day ban on TikTok in the country. This action gives TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, more time to respond to the national security issues raised by the U.S. government.

Specifically, the order instructs the Attorney General to hold off on enforcing the law requiring the social network to either shut down or sell its U.S. operations. This pause allows the administration to evaluate the best course of action moving forward. Trump stated that this measure is intended to protect national security, while also preventing the immediate shutdown of a platform used by millions of Americans.

The option of creating a Joint Venture

Trump suggested that the U.S. could potentially acquire a 50% stake in TikTok, which would lead to increased oversight and control over the app’s operations within the country. Potential buyers for the social network have included figures like Mr. Beast, the platform Kick, Perplexity AI, Frank McCourt, and most notably, Elon Musk. This “joint venture” proposal signifies a change in the president’s approach, as he had previously attempted to ban TikTok during his first term.

Currently, the 75-day extension offers a chance for ByteDance and the U.S. government to negotiate a resolution to the national security concerns. This could involve selling part or all of TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American entity, thereby protecting user data and maintaining service in the country. The situation is dynamic, and it is anticipated that efforts will be made to reach a solution before the new deadline.

A national security issue

The TikTok ban was initially prompted by fears that the Chinese government might use the app to spy on American citizens or manipulate public opinion through data collection and content control. In April 2024, the U.S. Congress passed a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to a non-Chinese owner by January 19, 2025, or face a complete ban.

On January 19, 2025, TikTok halted its operations in the United States and was removed from the Apple and Google app stores, in compliance with the law. However, following Trump’s inauguration on January 20, and his commitment to issuing an executive order delaying the ban, the service was reinstated. Nevertheless, the app remains unavailable to new users on download platforms.

The temporary suspension and subsequent reinstatement have created uncertainty for the millions of users and content creators who depend on TikTok for entertainment and business. Moreover, this situation presents challenges for tech companies responsible for distributing and hosting the app, as they must navigate between legal regulations and executive orders.

Trump is on TikTok

Interestingly, Donald Trump is an active TikTok user, with an official account boasting over 16.5 million followers. In fact, he has frequently used the platform to promote his presidential campaign. His last video was uploaded on November 4, 2024, election day, where he anticipated his victory and encouraged his followers to vote.

Photo: Depositphotos and Canva.