President Joe Biden has decided not to enforce the ban on TikTok that is set to take effect just before he leaves office on January 19, 2025, leaving the decision to President-elect Donald Trump, according to a U.S. official.
Last year, Congress passed a law requiring TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app by the deadline. The official revealed that Biden’s administration has decided to leave the implementation of this law, including the potential ban, to Trump.
Trump, who had previously called for a TikTok ban over security concerns, has since promised to keep the app available in the U.S., though details on how this will be achieved are still unclear.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration and will be given a prominent seat, with incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz indicating that the new administration may take steps to “keep TikTok from going dark.”
Waltz also highlighted that the law allowing for a TikTok ban could be extended if a viable deal for a U.S. acquisition is still in play.
The debate over TikTok’s future has seen bipartisan involvement. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for an extension of the divestment deadline, emphasizing the need for more time to find an American buyer and avoid disrupting the lives of TikTok’s U.S. users, including influencers. However, Republican Sen. Tom Cotton opposed the extension, arguing that TikTok has had ample time to find a solution.
TikTok’s CEO, alongside other tech billionaires like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, and Jeff Bezos, is expected to attend the inauguration, with discussions surrounding TikTok’s future intensifying.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a legal challenge involving TikTok, and the ruling could have significant implications for the app’s operations in the U.S. Should the law be upheld, TikTok may face a forced sale or a ban in one of its largest markets, further escalating tensions around the platform.
Trump, who has reversed his stance on TikTok, sees the app as a valuable tool for engaging younger voters, particularly during his 2024 presidential campaign. He has pledged to protect TikTok’s data and ensure its continued use in the U.S.