In a surprising twist, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed interest in keeping TikTok alive in the U.S., at least for now. This unexpected stance comes after years of debates and political wrangling over the app’s future.
A Change of Heart?
Speaking at AmericaFest, hosted by Turning Point USA, Trump revealed a newfound appreciation for the platform, citing its immense popularity. “I did go on TikTok, and we had a great response with billions of views,” he said, referring to his activity on the app. While his claim of “billions of views” isn’t backed by evidence—his most-watched video has nearly 179 million views—Trump’s enthusiasm for the platform is clear. His TikTok account boasts 14.7 million followers, and his videos consistently rack up millions of views.
Trump shared that TikTok’s team presented him with a chart highlighting the app’s success. “It was a record, and it was so beautiful to see. As I looked at it, I said, ‘Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while,’” he explained, according to Reuters. This marked a stark departure from his earlier attempts to ban the app during his presidency in 2020.
A Looming Deadline
Trump’s comments come at a critical juncture for TikTok. In April, President Joe Biden signed legislation setting January 19 as the deadline for TikTok to either be divested from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide ban. The law has been upheld by a federal appeals court, and while the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok’s challenge, time is running out.
For users and creators, the uncertainty around TikTok’s future in the U.S. is palpable. With millions relying on the platform for entertainment, education, and business, the stakes are high. Trump’s remarks have fueled speculation about whether his administration might attempt to reverse the ban after he takes office. However, his ability to intervene before the January 19 deadline is limited, as he won’t officially assume the presidency until the following day.
What’s Next?
The situation leaves TikTok’s millions of U.S. users in limbo. While Trump’s newfound appreciation for the app might signal a softer stance, the current administration’s push for a ban reflects ongoing national security concerns over ByteDance’s ownership.
For now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court and the outcome of TikTok’s legal battle. Whether Trump’s sentiments translate into policy or remain a fleeting remark is yet to be seen. One thing is clear: the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains a hotly contested issue, with its fate hanging in the balance.
@cbsnews Speaking on the final day of the Turning Point AmericaFest conference, President-elect Trump signaled that he was reconsidering a looming ban on TikTok set to go into effect next month. The Supreme Court also recently agreed to hear a challenge on the law that would ban the app. #news #trump #tiktokban ♬ original sound – cbsnews
