Fri Jan 03 03:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Intervenes to Delay TikTok Ban
**Washington D.C.** – President-elect Donald Trump is seeking to halt the imminent ban on TikTok, urging the Supreme Court to postpone the January 19th deadline. In an amicus brief filed Friday by his solicitor general nominee, John Sauer, Trump argues that his incoming administration should have the opportunity to negotiate a solution that addresses national security concerns without a complete ban.
The brief requests a delay in the forced divestiture of TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, allowing for a political resolution. Trump’s team emphasizes his “dealmaking expertise” and commitment to protecting the free speech rights of TikTok’s 170 million US users.
The impending ban stems from a federal appeals court upholding a law demanding ByteDance divest or cease operations. This ruling sparked concerns about the economic impact on content creators, small businesses, and the overall US economy. A report by Oxford Economics estimates TikTok contributed $24.2 billion to the US GDP in 2023, supporting approximately 224,000 jobs and generating $5.3 billion in tax revenue. A ban could result in a $1.3 billion loss in revenue for small businesses in the first month alone.
While national security concerns fueled the push for a ban, citing potential data sharing with the Chinese government, Trump’s intervention highlights a different approach. He claims a “unique interest” in the First Amendment issues involved, arguing his election mandate includes protecting the free speech rights of all Americans, including TikTok users. The legal brief emphasizes his unique position as the sole elected official representing all US voters. The Supreme Court will now consider Trump’s request for a delay.
First Piper 