TikTok's Latest Reprieve Under Trump's Order
President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order this week to extend TikTok's deadline to find a U.S. buyer, granting the popular social media platform a third 90-day reprieve from a potential ban. The White House announced on June 17 that this extension aims to keep the app, which boasts around 170 million U.S. users, operational despite a bipartisan law mandating its sale or shutdown due to national security concerns over its Chinese ownership by ByteDance.
The decision comes as the deadline of June 19 approached, with ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China complicating trade talks and divestment efforts. This latest move follows previous extensions, including a 75-day delay issued shortly after Trump's inauguration in January 2025, reflecting a pattern of temporary relief for the app while long-term solutions are sought.
National Security and Economic Implications
The core issue driving the potential ban on TikTok centers on national security risks tied to data privacy and the app's ownership by ByteDance, a China-based company. U.S. lawmakers and officials have expressed concerns that user data could be accessed by the Chinese government, posing a threat to American citizens. This has led to sustained bipartisan support for either a sale of TikTok's U.S. operations to an American entity or a complete shutdown if no deal is reached.
Economically, TikTok's presence in the U.S. supports numerous influencers, content creators, and businesses that rely on the platform for income and marketing. A ban could disrupt these livelihoods, which has fueled debates among business leaders and lawmakers about balancing security with economic impact. Trump's repeated extensions suggest an intent to navigate these complex regulatory, financial, and geopolitical challenges without immediately alienating millions of users.
Future Outlook for TikTok in the U.S.
With the new 90-day extension pushing the deadline to mid-September 2025, attention now turns to whether ByteDance can secure a viable U.S. buyer within this timeframe. Previous attempts to ban TikTok during Trump's first term were halted by federal courts, and current efforts to delay enforcement reflect a cautious approach to avoid similar legal setbacks while negotiations continue.
The White House has emphasized that this extension keeps TikTok 'up and running' for now, but the underlying issues of ownership and data security remain unresolved. As President Trump continues to engage with stakeholders, including tech firms and legal experts, the outcome of these discussions will likely shape not only TikTok's fate but also broader U.S. policies on foreign-owned technology platforms.