TikTok may get some respite from Donald Trump as the President-elect has announced that he will “most likely” grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a potential ban after he takes office on Monday (December 20). This comes as the app, with 170 million American users, faces a shutdown set for Sunday (December 19).
“I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at,” Trump said in the phone interview with NBC, highlighting that he hasn’t made a final decision.
“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” Trump added.
“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday,” Trump noted.
The bipartisan law passed last year explicitly permits a 90-day extension under specific conditions. However, even if an extension is granted on Monday, it may not prevent the app from going dark for at least a day, as the current compliance deadline is Sunday.
TikTok shutdown in the US
The Chinese-owned app stated last week that it will go dark in the US on Sunday unless President Joe Biden’s administration provides assurances to companies like Apple and Google that they will not face enforcement actions when the ban takes effect.
The White House, however, dismissed TikTok’s Friday comment as a stunt, reiterating that it was up to the incoming Trump administration to take action, increasing the likelihood of a shutdown on Sunday.
“We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office on Monday,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the US of using unfair state power to suppress TikTok.
“China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” a spokesperson said.
The US Supreme Court justices upheld the ban in a unanimous decision.
