Michelle ThompsonPresident Trump signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to meet the requirements of a law mandating its sale or ban. During this period, the US will not enforce the law passed by Congress last year and signed by former President Joe Biden.
This order was one of several directives signed by Trump on Monday evening. In a statement to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I tell you what. Every rich person has called me about TikTok.” When asked why his stance had changed since attempting to ban the app in 2020, Trump replied, “Because I got to use it.”
Trump also proposed the possibility of a joint venture, suggesting a 50-50 partnership between the US and TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, but offered no further details.
On Saturday evening, TikTok ceased functioning for US users following the enforcement of a law banning it on national security grounds. It resumed service after Trump indicated he would issue an executive order to delay the ban once he took office.
The Biden administration had expressed concerns that TikTok could be exploited by China for espionage and political manipulation. Opponents of a ban argued that it infringed on free speech rights.
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, had previously disregarded the law requiring it to divest its US operations to avoid a ban. The law, upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday, took effect on Sunday, but the Biden administration chose to leave its enforcement to the incoming administration.
The executive order signed by Trump contrasts with the views of many Republicans in Congress. Senator Tom Cotton, for example, posted on X, warning that companies facilitating TikTok’s operations could face substantial fines.
TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, attended Trump’s inauguration along with other tech industry leaders like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos. Additionally, YouTube star Mr. Beast shared a TikTok video suggesting he was preparing to make a bid to buy the platform, but no further details were provided.
Other notable figures, including Musk and Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank, have also shown interest in acquiring TikTok.
