NAIROBI, Kenya – TikTok has earned a reprieve in the United States, thanks to an executive order signed by President Trump granting the platform 75 days to comply with a U.S. law requiring its sale or potential ban.
In a surprising turn of events, the same leader who once sought TikTok’s outright removal now suggests a 50-50 partnership between its Chinese owner ByteDance and the U.S.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to keep TikTok operating for 75 days, giving TikTok’s China-based parent ByteDance more time to find a U.S. buyer. trib.al/8wOLVSr
But why the change of heart? According to Trump, it’s because he’s experienced the platform firsthand. “I tell you what. Every rich person has called me about TikTok,” he said during a briefing in the Oval Office.
Let’s break down this latest twist in the ongoing TikTok saga.
Trump’s TikTok Pivot: A Shift from Ban to Business
Back in 2020, Trump was adamant about banning TikTok over national security concerns. Now, he appears to have softened his stance, citing personal engagement with the app as a game-changer.
This comes after TikTok briefly ceased operations for U.S. users when a law banning the app went into effect over the weekend.
President Trump’s extension gives the platform access to its 170 million U.S. users once again, but the reprieve is temporary. The clock is ticking for ByteDance to find a solution acceptable to U.S. lawmakers.
Despite Trump’s willingness to explore a partnership, Republican lawmakers remain skeptical.
TikTok’s troubles began under the Biden administration, which flagged the app as a potential tool for Chinese surveillance and political influence.
Advocates for a ban argue that safeguarding national security trumps keeping the platform accessible, while opponents counter that banning TikTok raises serious free speech concerns.
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold the law requiring TikTok’s sale hasn’t ended the controversy. Instead, it has passed the political hot potato to Trump’s administration, which now faces intense pressure from both sides of the aisle.
Adding to the mix, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew attended Trump’s inauguration, sparking speculation about behind-the-scenes negotiations.
Chew’s appearance alongside tech heavyweights like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg underscores TikTok’s prominence in global tech debates.
As ByteDance scrambles to address the U.S. government’s demands, potential buyers are circling.
YouTube star MrBeast teased his own interest in acquiring TikTok, posting a cryptic video en route to make a “crazy” offer. Meanwhile, tech moguls Elon Musk and Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank fame have also expressed interest.
With so many high-profile bidders, TikTok’s future remains uncertain. However, its massive user base and cultural influence ensure it won’t fade quietly into the background.
