President Joe Biden will not enforce a ban on the social media app TikTok that is set to take effect on January 19, leaving the decision to President-elect Donald Trump, according to a US official.
“Our position on this has been clear: TikTok should continue to operate under American ownership. Given the timing of when it goes into effect over a holiday weekend a day before inauguration, it will be up to the next administration to implement,” a White House official, speaking anonymously, told ABC News
The ban, required by a law signed by Biden last year, mandates that TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance divest the company by the day before the presidential inauguration.
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Trump, who previously called for a ban on the app, has since pledged to keep it available in the US, although his transition team has not provided details on how they plan to achieve this.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration and be seated on the dais, signaling that the incoming administration may take steps to prevent TikTok from being shut down. According to ABC News sources, Trump also held discussions with TikTok’s Chief Executive Officer Shou Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last month.
Meanwhile, incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz stated that the federal law allows for an extension if a viable deal is on the table. He said, “If the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling in favor of the law, President Trump has been very clear: Number one, TikTok is a great platform that many Americans use and has been great for his campaign and getting his message out. But number two, he’s going to protect their data.”
The push to save TikTok has received bipartisan support, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer advocating for an extended deadline to find an American buyer and avoid disrupting the lives of millions of Americans and influencers. He said, “It’s clear that more time is needed.”.
“We will continue to work to find a responsible solution to keeping TikTok going, protect American livelihoods, and protect against Communist Chinese Communist Party surveillance. We must and can do all three,” he added.
Last week, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a legal challenge to the statute brought by TikTok, ByteDance, and users of the app. The Justices appeared likely to uphold the law, which requires ByteDance to divest TikTok on national security grounds or face a ban in one of its biggest markets.
Trump, who used TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign to connect with younger voters, has reversed his position on the app and pledged to “save TikTok” during the campaign, crediting the platform with helping him win more youth votes.
