Trump's Incoming Administration Vows to Protect TikTok from Ban

As TikTok faces a looming deadline for a ban in the U.S., incoming senior officials of the Trump administration express confidence that the platform will be preserved.

In a bold statement, Congressman Mike Waltz, the incoming national security adviser under President-elect Donald Trump, has declared that TikTok will be safeguarded before a nationwide ban can take effect this weekend. This assertion comes in light of a law recently upheld by the Supreme Court, which mandates that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, must sell its U.S. operations by January 19 or face a ban.

The urgency of the situation has escalated recently, as reports indicate that ByteDance has plans to disable TikTok for an estimated 170 million users across the U.S. come Sunday. “We will implement measures to ensure TikTok doesn't go offline,” Waltz stated during a press briefing on Thursday. He emphasized that the law provides a 90-day extension for ByteDance, allowing for a sale while simultaneously granting Trump an opportunity to intervene.

Waltz hinted at the possibility of an executive order from Trump aimed at halting the ban, although it remains uncertain if such an order would be capable of overriding Congressional legislation. Citing national security concerns over data privacy, Congress passed a bipartisan law mandating ByteDance to secure an American buyer for TikTok within nine months. This legislation does not outright prohibit the app's use, but it would effectively prevent updates and distribution through platforms like Apple and Google, leading experts to speculate that the app's viability would dwindle.

As tensions rise regarding TikTok, the social media giant has firmly denied any connections to the Chinese government and has ruled out a potential sale. Meanwhile, both Biden and Trump have had fluctuating views on the app, with Trump previously pushing for a ban during his first term but now advocating for its protection. Recent developments suggest that the Biden administration is also exploring options to keep TikTok accessible if the ban were to come to fruition.

In a significant gesture, Trump has reportedly invited TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, to his inauguration next Monday, positioning him prominently in the event. The Supreme Court recently reviewed arguments from both TikTok and ByteDance regarding the ban, with a decision anticipated imminently.

As the debate continues, social media users are increasingly gravitating towards alternatives such as RedNote, underscoring the growing concerns of a TikTok blackout and its implications for digital communications in the U.S.