WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite the previous ban on TikTok in the United States, President Donald Trump recently issued executive orders to temporarily block the 2024 law that aimed to forbid the popular video-sharing app from operating in the country. This move, defying a law passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court, has sparked over 130 lawsuits in the short time that Trump has been in office.
The decision to grant TikTok a reprieve has raised concerns among lawmakers given the bipartisan agreement that the platform’s ties to China pose national security risks. However, the lack of opposition from the majority of members of Congress who supported the ban has allowed TikTok to continue functioning, much to the delight of its 170 million U.S. users.
Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Oracle have pledged to support TikTok as long as Trump’s Justice Department refrains from seeking heavy fines against them. Trump’s decision to suspend the law for 75 days, despite no apparent provision allowing for it, was made to give ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, the opportunity to find a buyer within the U.S.
Following a Supreme Court ruling indicating national security concerns outweigh First Amendment claims, Trump’s stance on TikTok has evolved. Initially attempting to ban the app during his first term, his later efforts to negotiate a sale proved unsuccessful. Despite challenges to his actions violating the law, Trump remains committed to facilitating a deal for TikTok by the impending deadline.
While concerns persist about potential legal repercussions for companies facilitating TikTok’s operations, few have contested Trump’s decision to suspend the ban. Democratic lawmakers have expressed reservations about the legality of Trump’s actions and warned of possible consequences for tech companies involved in TikTok’s operations since the law’s effective date.
Support for the ban mainly comes from those like Rep. John Moolenaar, who focuses on ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party rather than directly confronting Trump. Meanwhile, a range of potential bidders, including Perplexity AI, a consortium led by Frank McCourt, and groups organized by industry leaders, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. platform.
Despite the ongoing legal and political uncertainties surrounding TikTok’s future in the U.S., the platform’s newfound lease on life showcases the complex interplay between national security, corporate interests, and free speech concerns in the digital age. As Trump continues to navigate the TikTok saga, the fate of the app and its millions of users hangs in the balance.