
President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he is “most likely” to grant TikTok a 90-day extension, delaying the app’s potential ban in the U.S. following his inauguration. The Chinese-owned platform, which has faced intense scrutiny over national security concerns, was originally set to be removed by the government as soon as Sunday. However, in an interview with NBC News, Trump suggested that an extension would be a “certain option” due to the significance of the situation, although he acknowledged that a final decision had not yet been made.
TikTok’s uncertain future follows a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld legislation requiring the app’s U.S. operations to be sold to an American company or face a nationwide ban. The law was driven by widespread concerns over the Chinese Communist Party’s potential access to sensitive user data, as well as fears of espionage. However, the law also provides the President with the authority to grant a one-time, 90-day extension if he can demonstrate to Congress that a credible path toward divestiture exists and that “significant progress” is being made.
In the days leading up to Trump’s inauguration, a proposal from Perplexity AI, a California-based AI search engine, emerged. Perplexity has offered a merger between TikTok U.S. and its own operations, with backing from several capital partners. While ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has long resisted a sale of the app, this new offer could present an alternative solution—potentially allowing for a delay that would buy more time for negotiations.
While Trump has expressed support for TikTok in recent months, he had previously threatened to ban the app during his first term over national security concerns. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has publicly thanked Trump for his efforts to find a solution that would allow the app to remain operational in the U.S. However, in a statement, TikTok warned that unless President Joe Biden offers assurances to major tech companies like Google and Apple, they could face penalties for continuing to host the app after the ban takes effect.
As the clock ticks toward Sunday’s deadline, it remains to be seen whether President-elect Trump will indeed grant the extension. With high-stakes negotiations in play, Trump’s potential 90-day delay could be crucial in determining the future of TikTok in the U.S.