President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that TikTok may continue operations in the United States “for a little while,” hinting at a potential reprieve for the popular video-sharing platform.
Speaking on Sunday, November 22, at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump acknowledged TikTok’s role in his campaign, citing its significant reach during the presidential election. “We did go on TikTok, and we had a great response. We had billions and billions of views,” he remarked, referencing data presented to him about the app’s impact.
Meanwhile, the legal future of TikTok hangs in the balance as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on January 10 about a law mandating the app’s sale by January 19 or its ban due to alleged national security risks. TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, have challenged the law, claiming it violates First Amendment rights and unfairly targets one of America’s leading communication platforms.
TikTok’s petition warns of the repercussions of a potential ban, arguing that it would suppress free speech and disrupt a platform used by millions to discuss politics, commerce, arts, and other critical issues.
The legal tussle began after President Joe Biden signed the legislation in April, giving ByteDance a 270-day deadline to divest its U.S. operations. Non-compliance would require app store operators, such as Apple and Google, to remove TikTok from their platforms.
In May, TikTok filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, contesting the law, but in December, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., dismissed the company’s argument that the ban is unconstitutional.
As legal proceedings continue, Trump’s remarks signal a potential shift in the app’s trajectory, although its ultimate fate remains uncertain.
