President Donald Trump has signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a US law requiring its sale or ban.
During this period, enforcement of the law—passed by Congress and signed by former President Joe Biden—will be suspended.
The order was among several directives Trump signed on Monday evening.
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Why Trump Changed His Mind
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump admitted his perspective on TikTok had changed since his initial attempt to ban the platform in 2020.
When asked why, he responded, “Because I got to use it.”
He suggested a possible joint venture, proposing a 50-50 ownership split between “the United States” and TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
However, he provided no details on how this would work.
Trump also linked potential new tariffs on China to negotiations over TikTok’s ownership, warning that if Beijing rejected a deal, it “would be somewhat of a hostile act.”
TikTok Ban Briefly Took Effect Before Reprieve
On Saturday, TikTok briefly went offline for US users as the law banning it on national security grounds took effect.
The app resumed service to its 170 million users after Trump pledged an executive order to pause the ban upon taking office.
However, TikTok remains unavailable for download on Apple and Google app stores.
National Security vs. Free Speech
The Biden administration previously argued TikTok posed national security risks, potentially allowing China to access U.S. user data and influence political discourse. Supporters of the platform argue that banning TikTok infringes on free speech.
ByteDance has resisted past efforts to force a sale of its US operations.
The Supreme Court upheld the ban on Friday, allowing it to take effect at the weekend. However, the Biden administration left enforcement to Trump’s incoming team due to the timing.
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Trump Faces Pushback from GOP Lawmakers
Trump’s move has placed him at odds with some Republican lawmakers.
On Sunday, Senator Tom Cotton warned companies that support TikTok, stating they could face “hundreds of billions of dollars” in fines through Justice Department actions, securities laws, shareholder lawsuits, and state attorney general enforcement.
Tech Giants and Investors Eye TikTok Purchase
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended Trump’s inauguration alongside major tech leaders, including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.
Meanwhile, social media star MrBeast posted a TikTok video from a private jet, teasing an offer to buy the platform, calling it “crazy.”
Other high-profile figures, including Musk and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary, have also expressed interest in acquiring TikTok.
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What’s Next for TikTok?
With a 75-day extension in place, TikTok’s fate remains uncertain.
Will ByteDance agree to a sale? Could a joint venture work?
Or will Congress push back against Trump’s decision? The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether TikTok survives in the US market.
