U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has indicated a possible reprieve for TikTok, suggesting that the popular video-sharing app may continue operating in the United States “for a little while.”
Speaking at an event hosted by the conservative organization Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump acknowledged TikTok’s impact during the presidential election. “I think we’re going to have to start thinking because, you know, we did go on TikTok, and we had a great response with billions of views, billions and billions of views,” Trump told the crowd at AmericaFest.
He recounted being presented with record-breaking engagement statistics. “They brought me a chart, and it was a record, and it was so beautiful to see, and as I looked at it, I said, ‘Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while’,” he said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a request from TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to block a law that would require the sale of the app by January 19 or face a ban on national security grounds. The court is set to hear arguments on January 10 regarding whether the law unconstitutionally limits freedom of speech, violating the First Amendment.
TikTok argued in its petition that the potential ban would shutter one of America’s most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration, silencing countless Americans who use the app to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other public interests.
In April, U.S. President Joe Biden enacted a law giving ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok, citing national security concerns. If the company fails to comply, app store operators such as Apple and Google would be required to remove TikTok from their platforms.
TikTok sued the U.S. government in May to block the potential ban, which has faced widespread criticism. Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. dismissed TikTok’s claim that the ban is unconstitutional.
As the legal battle unfolds, TikTok’s future in the United States hangs in the balance. However, Trump’s recent remarks hint at a possible extension, leaving users and industry observers awaiting further developments.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
