Will President-Elect Trump Block New Law?

Will Donald Trump Save TikTok from a Ban?

As the deadline looms for a potential ban on TikTok, speculation surrounds whether President-elect Donald J. Trump can intervene and spare the popular social media app from being removed from the digital landscape in the United States. Scheduled to take office just a day before the app’s imminent ban on Sunday, Trump has expressed mixed signals regarding his intentions for TikTok, a platform owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

Previously, Trump indicated that he would consider measures to protect TikTok, including the potential for an executive order that would allow the app to continue its operations in the U.S. However, with the stakes high and the clock ticking, his current stance appears less definitive. On Friday, Trump communicated through his social media platform, Truth Social, that while he understands the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding TikTok, he remains hesitant to make any immediate commitments regarding the app’s future. "The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it," Trump stated. "My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!"

The underlying legal context is pivotal to understanding this situation. A law upheld by the Supreme Court mandates that ByteDance must divest its ownership of TikTok or face an outright ban in the United States. This ruling not only affects the app directly but also imposes restrictions on app stores, such as Apple and Google, which will be required to stop offering TikTok for download. Additionally, major cloud computing companies are prohibited from providing services to the app, which could effectively cripple its operations.

Legal experts have begun to analyze the potential ramifications of Trump’s presidency on this issue. They suggest that while an executive order could theoretically delay enforcement of the current law, the practicality and legality of such a move are uncertain. Ryan Calo, a professor at the University of Washington School of Law, explained the complexities involved: “You could have a policy not to enforce this ban,” he said, adding that persuading major companies like Apple and Google to support this direction would require assurances that they would not face legal repercussions for violating established laws.

Moreover, the law also allows the president to extend the deadline for a potential sale of TikTok, but only if “significant progress” is made toward transferring ownership to a non-Chinese buyer. The crucial aspect of this provision is that any deal must be feasible within a 90-day extension period. Should Trump attempt to utilize this option after the ban has come into effect, the execution of that strategy remains unpredictable.

As TikTok has contested the legality of the ban through various court challenges, it has emphasized the impracticality of completing such a sale within the stipulated timeframe. This has led to the entrance of potential buyers, including a consortium led by billionaire Frank McCourt, who is known for his previous endeavors in real estate.

In addition to executive orders or judicial appeals, Trump has a third avenue available: he could seek to collaborate with Congress to reverse the bipartisan legislation that paved the way for the ban. However, this route presents its own set of challenges, particularly given the overwhelming bipartisan support the law received last year, which indicates a solid commitment from lawmakers to address concerns over national security and data privacy associated with Chinese-owned technology.

As the political and legal battles unfold, TikTok users, influencers, and content creators watch closely, expressing concern for their digital livelihoods and the platform’s future. The outcome of Trump’s decision and the corresponding congressional actions could significantly shape the landscape of social media in the U.S. and influence a growing debate around data privacy and global tech ownership.

While TikTok remains popular among millions of Americans, the intersection of technology, law, and politics has rendered its fate uncertain. Expect continued scrutiny of this situation as the new administration navigates the complexities surrounding TikTok’s ownership and potential ban in the coming days. Will Trump take a stand for the platform, or will the ban stand as a testament to the ongoing geopolitical tensions over information and technology? Only time will tell, and all eyes remain fixated on the unfolding drama.