TikTok has received another reprieve in the United States, as President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order extending the deadline for the app’s sale or ban for an additional 90 days. This marks the third time the deadline has been pushed back since Trump took office this year, according to the White House.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating that President Trump will sign an executive order this week to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. The primary goal of this further extension, Leavitt indicated, is to provide sufficient time to finalize a deal that would ensure the safety and security of American users’ data while allowing the popular video-sharing platform to continue operating. “President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” she added.
Why the Repeated Delays?
The ongoing pressure on TikTok stems from a bipartisan law passed by Congress last year – the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This legislation mandated that ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, divest the app’s U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, or face a ban preventing it from being available in U.S. app stores and web-hosting services. The law was enacted due to significant national security concerns that the Chinese government could potentially access sensitive data from TikTok’s approximately 170 million American users or use the platform to influence content and spread propaganda. The Supreme Court upheld this law shortly before its effective date.
However, President Trump’s repeated extensions appear to conflict with the law’s provisions, which allowed for only a single 90-day extension. This latest order represents a second extension beyond that legally stipulated timeframe. The executive orders effectively direct the Justice Department to refrain from enforcing the law’s penalties against companies like Apple and Google for continuing to host the app.
Stalled Deal Efforts and China’s Role
Efforts to broker a deal for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. business have been described as complex and elusive. A potential agreement reportedly neared completion in early April, which would have seen TikTok’s U.S. operations spun off into a new company majority-owned by American investors.
However, that deal reportedly stalled. Sources suggest the timing coincided with the Trump administration’s announcement of new tariffs on Chinese goods, leading ByteDance to inform the White House that China might not approve the arrangement until broader trade and tariff issues were resolved. China has consistently maintained that its approval is necessary for any sale of TikTok’s underlying technology. Trump himself acknowledged in May that securing China’s approval would likely be needed, expressing confidence that Chinese President Xi Jinping would “ultimately approve it.”
Trump’s Evolving Stance and Analyst Views
President Trump’s position on TikTok has evolved significantly since his first term in 2020 when he initially attempted to force a sale. More recently, he has expressed a favorable view of the platform, suggesting it helped him connect with young voters in the 2024 election – though data indicates most young voters supported Kamala Harris. Despite this, Trump maintains a significant presence on TikTok with over 15 million followers and has spoken positively about the app, saying he has a “warm spot in his heart” for it.
The series of unilateral deadline extensions has led some market analysts to openly question the likelihood of a ban ever truly materializing during Trump’s tenure. Kelsey Chickering, a principal analyst at Forrester, remarked, “What ban? There is nothing ‘looming’ about the potential TikTok ban anymore.” Chickering notes that TikTok’s actions, such as rolling out new AI video tools at events like Cannes, suggest confidence in its future, while smaller competitors like Snap may struggle to capitalize on the perceived uncertainty.
Potential Buyers Emerge
Despite the complexities, several potential buyers and investor groups have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. These include:
Cloud computing giant Oracle, whose co-founder Larry Ellison is a known ally of President Trump. Trump has previously indicated openness to an Oracle deal.
A group including billionaire Frank McCourt, Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
- A different investor group reportedly involving top YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast.
- www.bbc.com
- san.com
- www.cbsnews.com
- www.foxbusiness.com
- themorningnews.com
Uncertainty Lingers
While the 90-day extension provides immediate relief, the long-term future of TikTok in the U.S. remains subject to the complex interplay of U.S. national security concerns, ongoing trade tensions with China, and the challenges of structuring a deal acceptable to all parties. The situation highlights the broader “digital Cold War” dynamics influencing global tech companies. For the millions of American users, creators, and businesses who rely on TikTok, the continued uncertainty presents significant challenges to their livelihoods and engagement on the platform.
Prior to Trump taking office, TikTok briefly went offline for a few hours over a weekend as the initial deadline approached. Following the app’s reinstatement after Trump vowed action, TikTok reportedly praised the president for saving the platform.
