US Election 2024

Will Trump White House rescue TikTok from looming ban? President-elect has done a 180 on the app

President Trump’s vague suggestion that those who “like TikTok” should vote for him raised hopes for users of the video-sharing app that he might thwart a ban that is set to take effect. In a post on his Truth Social service in September, Trump hinted at the possibility of preventing the ban, stating, “We’re not doing anything with TikTok, but the other side is going to close it up, so if you like TikTok, go out and vote for Trump.”

Although no specific promises were made to reverse the impending ban, Trump’s team has indicated that he will “deliver” on his campaign promises. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance’s transition team, emphasized that the American people re-elected President Trump with a resounding mandate to implement the pledges he made during the campaign.

The ban on TikTok, which is set to take effect in January, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden. This move represents a complete turnaround from Trump’s previous attempts to block the app in the U.S. or force its sale in 2020. However, the Trump administration is now considering reversing the ban, with Kellyanne Conway, an adviser close to Trump, acknowledging the importance of TikTok’s reach and influence.

Efforts to reverse the ban could involve pressuring the Republican-led Congress or pursuing a policy of loose enforcement by the Justice Department. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is currently fighting in court to challenge the constitutionality of the law that mandates the ban.

Trump’s focus on Big Tech has largely centered on Meta, formerly Facebook, with the former president labeling the company as an “enemy of the people.” Despite his criticisms of Meta, Trump has expressed support for TikTok and its users, urging them to vote for him if they want to save the app in America.

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On Capitol Hill, concerns about the national security threat posed by TikTok have prompted bipartisan support for the ban. Lawmakers fear that the Chinese parent company could exploit user data and manipulate content to undermine U.S. interests. Trump’s Cabinet picks, many of whom are China hawks, have advocated for the ban, citing national security risks.

Despite public support for a TikTok ban declining in the U.S., with only 32% of Americans backing the move according to a Pew Research poll, the fate of the app remains uncertain. As the January deadline approaches, the Trump administration’s stance on TikTok will be closely watched to see if the ban will be reversed or enforced.

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