US President-Elect Trump Considers Brief TikTok Continuation

Trump Indicates TikTok Might Stay in the U.S. ‘for a Little While’

President-elect Donald Trump has indicated a willingness to allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States, at least temporarily.

Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix on December 22, 2024, he acknowledged the platform’s significant role in his campaign, stating, “We got the highest vote ever for a sitting president… billions and billions of views on TikTok. So, it could be that we got to keep this sucker around for a little while.”

This marks a shift from previous U.S. policy. In April 2024, Congress passed a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest the app due to national security concerns.

The law mandates that if ByteDance does not comply by January 19, 2025, TikTok will be banned from U.S. app stores. ByteDance has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn this law, with arguments scheduled for January 10, 2025.

Trump’s recent comments suggest he may oppose the app’s removal from the U.S. market, citing its impact on engaging young voters during his campaign. However, the final decision will depend on the Supreme Court’s ruling and subsequent actions by the incoming administration.

It’s worth noting that TikTok has faced scrutiny over data privacy and national security concerns, leading to legislative actions in various countries. For instance, Albania recently announced a one-year ban on TikTok following a tragic incident linked to the platform.

As the situation develops, stakeholders, including potential buyers and policymakers, are closely monitoring the outcome of the Supreme Court case and the incoming administration’s stance on TikTok’s future in the United States.

For a brief overview of President-elect Trump’s remarks, you can watch the following video: