Trump Seeks Supreme Court Delay on TikTok Ban Law
The president-elect seeks time to explore a political resolution as the app faces a potential ban in the U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump has requested the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the implementation of a law that could either ban TikTok or force its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app.
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Trump’s legal team argues the incoming administration should have the opportunity to pursue a “political resolution” to the controversy.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the case on January 10, with the law’s deadline looming on January 19—just one day before Trump officially assumes office.
TikTok’s Future at Risk
The law, passed by Congress in April, mandates that ByteDance divest TikTok to an American company or face a U.S. ban. With over 170 million U.S. users, TikTok and its parent company are fighting to overturn the law. If unsuccessful, TikTok could be effectively banned in the United States.
Interestingly, Trump’s support for TikTok marks a shift from his 2020 stance when he sought to block the app and push for its sale due to concerns about its Chinese ownership.
“President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute,” said Trump’s attorney, D. John Sauer, who is also nominated to serve as U.S. solicitor general. Instead, Sauer urged the Court to pause the divestment deadline to allow the new administration to seek a diplomatic resolution.
From Opposition to Support
Trump’s evolving stance on TikTok reflects the company’s efforts to strengthen ties with his team during the presidential campaign. The president-elect even met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in December and admitted to having a “soft spot” for the app, citing its impact during his campaign, where his content garnered billions of views.
TikTok has defended its operations, stating that user data is stored on Oracle servers in the U.S. and that content moderation for American users is managed domestically.
Divided Opinions
While free speech advocates argue that banning TikTok sets a dangerous precedent, the U.S. Justice Department and many lawmakers view Chinese control of the app as a national security threat. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, along with 22 other attorneys general, has urged the Supreme Court to uphold the legislation.
As the January deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Supreme Court’s decision, which could shape the future of one of the world’s most popular social media platforms.
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