Trump requests delay on TikTok ban to allow political resolution
President-elect Donald Trump has called on the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a federal law that could ban TikTok, the popular social media app, or force its sale, allowing him time to seek a “political resolution” after taking office.
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have been fighting to keep the app available in the United States following Congress’s vote in April, which mandated a ban unless ByteDance sells the app by January 19, 2025. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case, but if it does not rule in ByteDance’s favor and no sale occurs, TikTok could be banned just one day before Trump takes office.
In a filing submitted on December 27, Trump emphasized the unprecedented nature of the case, which pits free speech rights against national security concerns. He argued that a delay would allow him the chance to pursue a political solution, potentially resolving the issue without the need for the Court to make a decision on such significant constitutional matters.
This request comes amidst ongoing debates about the app’s potential national security risks due to its Chinese ownership. The U.S. Justice Department has argued that TikTok’s ties to China present a serious national security threat, a stance largely supported by lawmakers. In response, TikTok insists that its user data is stored in the U.S. on Oracle’s cloud servers and that content moderation decisions affecting American users are made within the U.S.
Free speech advocates have also raised concerns, with some warning that the law targeting Chinese-owned TikTok mirrors authoritarian censorship practices. As the legal battle continues, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance.
