President Trump has granted Tiktok another extension, pushing back the deadline for the popular app to make a deal regarding its Chinese ownership or face a US ban.
With the Saturday deadline looming, Tiktok now has an additional 75 days to find new owners who will comply with federal laws requiring structural changes to address national security concerns, setting a new deadline in mid-June.
This latest delay marks the second time President Trump has intervened in the Tiktok situation this year, having previously suspended enforcement of the law in January despite unanimous Supreme Court support.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump mentioned that the deal requires more work to secure necessary approvals, expressing his desire to avoid a dark outcome and stating his intention to collaborate with Tiktok and China to finalize the deal.
Trump’s recent actions highlight the ongoing complexity of the Tiktok situation. Despite concerns raised by lawmakers and US officials about Tiktok’s safety, the app has solidified its position as a cultural powerhouse.
The extensions raise questions about Trump’s willingness to prioritize presidential authority over the rule of law. The federal law aimed at changing Tiktok’s ownership and imposing a ban was passed last year with wide bipartisan support, only to be effectively nullified when Trump suspended its enforcement in January.
For now, Tiktok will continue operating in the US for the foreseeable future. The app came back to life in January after a temporary shutdown around the time the federal law came into effect.
Tiktok has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Source: www.nytimes.com
