TikTok Ban: Trump Extends Divestiture Deadline Again
- President Donald Trump will extend the deadline for ByteDance,the Chinese company that owns TikTok,to divest the popular video-sharing app.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump wants to keep TikTok operational.
- Trump told reporters aboard Air Force one that he would "probably" extend the deadline, noting that Chinese approval might be necessary.
Trump Extends TikTok Divestiture deadline Amid China Tensions
President Donald Trump will extend the deadline for ByteDance,the Chinese company that owns TikTok,to divest the popular video-sharing app. The White House announced the 90-day extension tuesday, citing ongoing efforts to finalize a deal that ensures the safety and security of American user data. The primary role of the extension is to allow negotiations to continue.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump wants to keep TikTok operational. “President trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” Leavitt said. The administration will use the extension to work toward a deal that allows Americans to continue using TikTok with data security assurances.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force one that he would “probably” extend the deadline, noting that Chinese approval might be necessary. “Probably have to get China approval but think we’ll get it. I think President Xi will ultimately approve it,” Trump said.
last year, Congress passed legislation requiring the divestiture, or a U.S. app store ban for TikTok. The Supreme Court upheld the law, which included a provision allowing the president to extend the divestiture date. The law initially went into effect Jan. 19, leading to a brief blackout. Trump then extended the deadline into April, and again until this Thursday.
The deadline extension comes as relations with China remain strained, partly due to tariffs imposed by Trump. Among the investors interested in purchasing TikTok is Frank McCourt Jr.,former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He envisions a different role for the platform.
McCourt recently discussed his plan, which does not involve acquiring TikTok’s algorithm. Rather, he proposes migrating users and their data to an open-source platform.
“We’re advocating for a new, better, advanced Internet where individuals own and control their identity and their data,” McCourt told Entrepreneur. “We’re in charge, and our social facts is ours to share with others as we see fit.”
during his first term, Trump sought to separate TikTok from its Chinese ownership, but those efforts faced legal challenges. More recently, he has praised TikTok, acknowledging its role in connecting with younger voters.
What’s next
The 90-day extension sets the stage for further negotiations and potential deals, as the U.S. government seeks to balance national security concerns with the continued availability of a popular social media platform.The future role of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain.