President-elect Donald Trump is contemplating a significant decision that could affect TikTok's presence in U.S. app stores.
The incoming president is leaning toward granting TikTok a 90-day extension to avoid the impending ban as the Supreme Court upholds a divestiture mandate, Washington Examiner reported.
Trump's possible extension would grant TikTok a reprieve from a threat to its availability in American app markets. The consideration comes in the wake of a Supreme Court decision that upheld legislation supporting a ban unless ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, divests the popular platform. Despite this development, the president-elect has not yet finalized his decision.
On Friday, the Supreme Court verified a law passed by Congress requiring TikTok to divest from ByteDance to continue operating within the U.S. market. This law empowers the president to grant a 90-day extension if sufficient progress toward divestiture is demonstrated. However, the clock is ticking as President Joe Biden chooses not to enforce the ruling before his term concludes on Sunday.
With Trump set to assume office on Monday, the responsibility of activating the law falls on him. Indicating his likely course of action, Trump remarked about the potential 90-day extension as a feasible option. "We have to look at it carefully. It's a very big situation," he asserted.
Biden's administration has delegated the matter to the incoming leadership. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the transition, emphasizing that the subsequent administration would handle matters of implementation.
In anticipation of developments, TikTok is preparing to "go dark" over the weekend. The platform seeks clarity on its future within the U.S. As TikTok braces for potential impacts, Jean-Pierre dismissed the company's actions as mere theatrics, labeling it a "stunt."
Jean-Pierre elaborated, "We have seen the most recent statement from TikTok. It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday." She added that companies should address any concerns to the incoming administration.
With the incoming transition, Jean-Pierre suggested TikTok collaborate with Trump's administration to address the matter. The app's leadership remains hopeful for a resolution that avoids a full withdrawal from the market.
While Donald Trump has previously expressed a desire for a TikTok ban, he appears to have softened his stance. The president-elect revealed on Truth Social that he intends to take time to evaluate the situation before reaching a decision.
Trump has invited TikTok CEO Shou Chew to his upcoming inauguration. This gesture highlights the importance Trump places on maintaining open dialogue with key tech industry leaders.
TikTok awaits an official stance from Trump to determine its course of action within the U.S. The tech community eagerly anticipates a resolution that safeguards the popular platform from potential restrictions.
In conclusion, TikTok is currently facing an uncertain future in the United States. As it anticipates Sunday's deadline, the possibility of a presidential extension has brought a glimmer of hope to the situation. The decision rests on President-elect Donald Trump's valuation of the "big situation" and his inclination toward granting a reprieve. The industry, administration officials, and global users remain attentive as the new administration's approach unfolds. Whether TikTok will find longevity in the U.S. market hinges on decisions made in the coming days.
