Trump bids to save TikTok
TikTok appears to be strategically leveraging President-elect Donald Trump’s personal investment in the platform, as highlighted by a graphic he shared on Truth Social showcasing his popularity on the app.
Trump’s accompanying statement, “Why would I want to get rid of TikTok?” highlights his evolving stance on the platform, which he initially sought to force into a U.S. sell-off during his presidency in 2020.
Trump’s newfound support for TikTok, driven by his self-proclaimed “big star” status on the app, is a stark contrast to the national security concerns driving U.S. lawmakers’ efforts to push for a divestment or ban.
TikTok has until 19 January 2025 to comply with a mandated sale to a U.S. company or face a ban. Trump’s legal team has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court to extend this deadline, aiming to negotiate alternatives post-inauguration.
While TikTok’s hopes partially to rely on Trump taking executive action, the tight timeline makes immediate intervention unlikely. Even if TikTok is temporarily removed from U.S. app stores, it is possible that a resolution could bring the platform back under different terms after Trump’s team engages in negotiations.
Closer to home, The EU is also investigating TikTok under the Digital Services Act. It’s unclear what this investigation will yield. However, TikTok has already been banned for use on any government devices whilst the investigation continues. Any outright ban in Europe or the U.S. would be difficult given the popularity of the app. It will be interesting to follow where this all leads.
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