The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains unclear as former President Trump pauses enforcement of a ban for 75 days while exploring alternatives, including a potential acquisition by Elon Musk. A 2024 law requires TikTok’s parent company to divest or face a ban, raising national security concerns over user data. Trump has suggested that ByteDance offer a 50% stake to the U.S. to avoid penalties, while tech giants have removed the app from their stores, limiting updates for users.
The Uncertain Future of TikTok in the U.S.
The fate of the Chinese social media app TikTok remains ambiguous in America. On Monday, former President Donald Trump took a significant step by signing a decree that halts the enforcement of the law for 75 days, hoping to find an alternative to the ban that was set to take effect last Sunday. Recently, a buzz has emerged, especially on social media platforms, suggesting that Elon Musk, the visionary behind X, SpaceX, and Tesla, might be interested in acquiring the app from its parent company, ByteDance. While Musk has not confirmed these rumors, Trump expressed his support for the potential buyout during a White House briefing, suggesting that any entity purchasing TikTok should “give half to the United States” in exchange for a license agreement.
Legal Implications and National Security Concerns
The legislation, enacted by Congress in 2024, mandates that TikTok’s parent company must divest the app or face a ban in the U.S. This law resulted in TikTok being temporarily inaccessible over the weekend. Severe penalties are outlined for internet providers and app stores that fail to comply, with fines reaching up to $5,000 per user. The Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing these penalties, although Trump has instructed them to refrain from action for two and a half months while he consults with advisors.
This temporary reprieve has provided some reassurance to Oracle, the American firm hosting TikTok’s servers, but has not alleviated concerns for tech giants like Apple and Google, which have removed TikTok from their app stores. While the 170 million current users in the U.S. can continue using TikTok, they will not be able to receive regular updates.
Trump aims to use this grace period to evaluate the risks TikTok poses concerning national security and determine whether the measures taken by the platform are adequate. Lawmakers have justified the law by citing the need to protect American user data from potential Chinese government access. However, this time, Trump has downplayed the perceived risks associated with TikTok. He remarked, “There are so many products made in China, and the only one they complain about is TikTok,” emphasizing that there are more pressing issues than concerns over data collection from young users.
In response to inquiries regarding the potential acquisition by Musk, Trump indicated openness to the idea, noting Musk’s previous support for Republican candidates and his advisory role to the government on cost-saving measures. Reports suggest that the Chinese government may be amenable to a buyout by Musk, although TikTok dismissed this possibility as “pure fiction.”
Trump has proposed that ByteDance should offer the U.S. a 50% stake in TikTok to avoid the enforcement of the law. This stake could then be allocated to American private interests. He expressed confidence that China would agree to this arrangement, stating, “TikTok has a lot of value, but if they don’t approve it, it wouldn’t have any.”
When questioned about the Chinese government’s stance, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked that companies should make decisions based on market principles. Trump warned that should China refuse to consent, the U.S. might impose tariffs. Additionally, when asked about his personal use of TikTok, which is banned on government devices, Trump claimed he did not have the app but would download it “right away.”