Fri Jan 17 04:31:48 UTC 2025: **Trump Administration to Explore Options to Save TikTok, Despite Pending Ban**
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration is signaling a potential reversal on its stance toward TikTok, exploring options to prevent the popular social media app from being banned in the United States. This comes despite a pending federal law set to ban the app on Sunday, and a Supreme Court case likely to uphold the ban on national security grounds.
National security adviser-designate Mike Waltz stated on Fox News that the law allows for an extension if a viable deal is reached with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. This follows reports that Trump is considering an executive order to suspend enforcement of the ban. The move has garnered support from some Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who advocated for an extension to allow time to find an American buyer. However, Republican Senator Tom Cotton blocked a Democratic attempt to extend the deadline, citing national security concerns.
Adding to the intrigue, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration and receive a prominent seat on the dais. This signals a potential shift in the administration’s approach to the Chinese-owned app, which Trump himself utilized extensively during his recent campaign. He has publicly praised TikTok’s role in reaching younger voters.
Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, however, avoided directly answering a question regarding her stance on a TikTok ban during a Senate hearing. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the legality of the ban soon. While President-elect Trump has acknowledged national security concerns, he has also emphasized the platform’s popularity and its value to his campaign. The administration appears poised to negotiate a deal that would allow TikTok to remain operational while addressing these security concerns.
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