**In a recent announcement, President Trump is set to sign an Executive Order delaying the TikTok ban deadline, giving the popular app at least three more months as talks for a sale continue amidst congressional concerns and high-profile bids.**
**Trump Extends TikTok Ban Deadline, Paving Way for Potential Sale**
**Trump Extends TikTok Ban Deadline, Paving Way for Potential Sale**
**White House confirms another 90-day extension on TikTok, ensuring platform's survival as new buyers emerge.**
The United States will see TikTok remain operational for the next three months, as President Donald Trump prepares to sign a new Executive Order aimed at extending the sale or ban deadline for the third time this year. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that Trump’s decision is intended to keep the app running while addressing concerns over data security for American users.
Originally scheduled for a ban due to ByteDance's refusal to divest from its U.S. operations by January, TikTok's future looks brighter following the announcement. Leavitt stated that the new 90-day extension is crucial for "closing the deal," ensuring that TikTok users have peace of mind regarding the security of their data.
Before the announcement, Trump hinted at the extension possibility in an interview with the BBC, expressing confidence that he could obtain approval from China for any delineation made regarding TikTok's ownership. "We will probably have to get China approval," Trump remarked, indicating optimism about negotiations.
This latest move appears to contradict the congressional mandate passed in the prior year mandating a sale or ban of TikTok, which Congress initiated to mitigate fears of potential espionage and manipulation via the app due to its ties to China. The Supreme Court recently upheld the law, but app usage is not diminished, with over 170 million American users still actively engaging with TikTok.
Previous attempts to enforce a ban led to temporary disruptions in the platform's availability, with TikTok having briefly gone offline during the inauguration weekend. The app expressed gratitude toward Trump following its reinstatement.
Despite Trump's fondness for TikTok—citing its influence during the 2024 election—analysts remain skeptical about a possible ban materializing. Forrester principal analyst Kelsey Chickering challenged the likelihood of an imminent prohibition, suggesting that TikTok's recent investments and enhancements indicate robust confidence for the future. Smaller platforms like Snap are assumed to struggle against TikTok’s stronghold during this period of uncertainty, as they attempt to gain traction.
Discussions around a potential sale of TikTok to U.S. buyers are ongoing, with various high-profile figures—including former noted businessman and philanthropist Frank McCourt and cloud guru Oracle—expressing interest. Industry buzz was further escalated by prominent YouTuber MrBeast, who has publicly stated intentions to acquire TikTok, joining a choir of suitors for the app.
With implications for both user safety and the platform's international operations at stake, the next few months will be crucial in determining TikTok’s future in the U.S. market.
Originally scheduled for a ban due to ByteDance's refusal to divest from its U.S. operations by January, TikTok's future looks brighter following the announcement. Leavitt stated that the new 90-day extension is crucial for "closing the deal," ensuring that TikTok users have peace of mind regarding the security of their data.
Before the announcement, Trump hinted at the extension possibility in an interview with the BBC, expressing confidence that he could obtain approval from China for any delineation made regarding TikTok's ownership. "We will probably have to get China approval," Trump remarked, indicating optimism about negotiations.
This latest move appears to contradict the congressional mandate passed in the prior year mandating a sale or ban of TikTok, which Congress initiated to mitigate fears of potential espionage and manipulation via the app due to its ties to China. The Supreme Court recently upheld the law, but app usage is not diminished, with over 170 million American users still actively engaging with TikTok.
Previous attempts to enforce a ban led to temporary disruptions in the platform's availability, with TikTok having briefly gone offline during the inauguration weekend. The app expressed gratitude toward Trump following its reinstatement.
Despite Trump's fondness for TikTok—citing its influence during the 2024 election—analysts remain skeptical about a possible ban materializing. Forrester principal analyst Kelsey Chickering challenged the likelihood of an imminent prohibition, suggesting that TikTok's recent investments and enhancements indicate robust confidence for the future. Smaller platforms like Snap are assumed to struggle against TikTok’s stronghold during this period of uncertainty, as they attempt to gain traction.
Discussions around a potential sale of TikTok to U.S. buyers are ongoing, with various high-profile figures—including former noted businessman and philanthropist Frank McCourt and cloud guru Oracle—expressing interest. Industry buzz was further escalated by prominent YouTuber MrBeast, who has publicly stated intentions to acquire TikTok, joining a choir of suitors for the app.
With implications for both user safety and the platform's international operations at stake, the next few months will be crucial in determining TikTok’s future in the U.S. market.
