In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden will not enforce a looming ban on the social media app TikTok, set to take effect a day before his term ends. A U.S. official confirmed Thursday that the outgoing administration is leaving the enforcement of the ban to President-elect Donald Trump, signaling a significant shift in the app’s uncertain future.
Last year, Congress passed a law signed by Biden requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to divest its U.S. operations by January 19, the day before the presidential inauguration. However, implementation of the law remains unresolved as Biden departs office.
Incoming President Donald Trump, who once advocated banning TikTok over national security concerns, has since embraced the platform, pledging to keep it operational in the U.S. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, with reports suggesting he may receive prime seating on the dais. Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz hinted that the new administration is open to finding a solution to prevent TikTok from “going dark.”
“The federal law allows for an extension as long as a viable deal is on the table,” Waltz told Fox News on Thursday.
The debate over TikTok has garnered bipartisan attention. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged Biden to extend the deadline, emphasizing the app’s role in supporting millions of American users and influencers. “It’s clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer and not disrupt the lives and livelihoods of so many influencers who have built up a good network of followers,” Schumer stated.
However, Republican Senator Tom Cotton opposed the extension, labeling TikTok as a threat. “TikTok is a Chinese Communist spy app that addicts our kids, harvests their data, targets them with harmful and manipulative content, and spreads communist propaganda,” Cotton said.
The issue has also reached the Supreme Court, where justices recently heard oral arguments on the law mandating ByteDance’s divestment. Legal experts believe the court is likely to uphold the statute. Waltz suggested Trump’s administration would act decisively if the court supports the law. “President Trump has been very clear: TikTok is a great platform, but he’s going to protect [Americans’] data,” he said.
Trump’s evolving stance on TikTok is notable. Initially, he sought to ban the app during his first term, citing national security concerns. However, his campaign’s use of the platform during the 2024 election to connect with younger voters has reshaped his view. Trump credited TikTok with helping him capture youth votes, pledging during the campaign to “save TikTok.”
As the Biden administration hands over responsibility for TikTok to Trump, the app’s future hangs in the balance. Whether the incoming administration will successfully broker a deal or enforce the ban remains to be seen.
