Trump Engages TikTok CEO Amid Looming Ban Deadline

Amidst a looming ban deadline for TikTok in the United States, President-elect Donald Trump is engaged in discussions with the app’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. This meeting comes as TikTok seeks to prevent a ban expected to be enacted due to alleged ties between its parent company, ByteDance, and the Chinese government—claims both companies have consistently denied. The US law mandates that TikTok must be sold by January 19, or face a ban, prompting TikTok to file an emergency request in the Supreme Court for a delay in enforcement.

The government's concerns stem from perceived national security threats posed by foreign-controlled applications. Trump, who had previously supported a ban during his first presidential term, now opposes such actions partly due to a desire to avoid giving Facebook a competitive advantage. Notably, Trump's second term will not commence until after the ban deadline, as his inauguration occurs on January 20.

In TikTok's application to the Supreme Court, the company argued that it requires additional time for the court to assess the matter adequately and for the incoming administration to consider the issue. TikTok describes itself as "one of the most significant speech platforms" in the US, claiming a ban would cause "immediate irreparable harm" to both the company and its user base. Recently, a federal appeals court dismissed TikTok's efforts to overturn the ban, backing Congress and successive presidents' actions taken on this issue.

At a press event, Trump expressed his affinity for TikTok, acknowledging its role in winning young voters in his campaign. Despite being new to the platform—joining in June—Trump rapidly amassed millions of followers, indicating its significant reach among the youth demographic. Recent election data revealed a notable shift in votes toward Trump among younger voters, which he attributed in part to TikTok’s influence.