Trump Signs Executive Order to Secure TikTok's Future in the U.S.

Sun Oct 12 2025 02:10:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent move, former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing TikTok to continue operating in the U.S., aiming to address national security concerns tied to its Chinese ownership.

President Donald Trump has introduced an executive order that enables TikTok to remain operational in the United States, despite previous legislation requiring the app's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its assets or face a ban. Negotiations around a potential deal are ongoing, with Trump's administration claiming approval from Chinese leadership. Many young adults depend on TikTok for news, highlighting the app's significant role in information dissemination among younger generations.

In a decisive move to secure the future of TikTok within the United States, former President Donald Trump has recently signed an executive order. The order aims to allow the popular social media platform to continue operating under a framework that addresses national security concerns raised during debates over its Chinese ownership.

Despite legislation signed by President Joe Biden last year requiring China's ByteDance to divest TikTok's assets to an American entity by early 2024, Trump's administration previously intervened to keep TikTok functional in the U.S. while negotiating a sale. Details of the ongoing negotiations remain unclear; however, Trump claims that the deal has received approval from Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

A Pew Research Center study indicates that approximately 43% of U.S. adults under 30 regularly obtain news through TikTok, surpassing other social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The significance of TikTok as a news source underscores the impact any operational change could have on this demographic.

Under the proposed structure, a new U.S.-based joint venture, primarily owned by a consortium of American investors—including Oracle and Silver Lake Partners—would be formed. ByteDance could retain a minority interest (estimated at 20% or less) and would have limited influence on the new platform’s governance. Questions have been raised about potential political influences on TikTok, particularly given that several investors have close ties to Trump.

Concerns over TikTok's recommendation algorithm, which has shaped content delivery to users, were also highlighted. Upon its divestment, U.S. officials assert that a licensed copy of the algorithm will be retrained using U.S. data to eliminate risks of foreign interference.

Trump's signing ceremony emphasized the administration's aim to assuage security concerns while maintaining the app's operation to cater to the preferences of a younger, tech-savvy electorate. The future of TikTok as a platform suitable for American users lies in navigating the complexities of U.S.-China relations and the evolving landscape of social media.