The debate over TikTok’s future in the U.S. has escalated into a significant national security issue, on both sides of the aisle. As discussed in the previous blogs, this concern led to the introduction of the “TikTok ban-or-sell bill.” This bill mandates TikTok’s sale from Chinese-based ownership or its—and app store owners’—compliance with a federal ban. 

Barring legal challenges, including a lawsuit claiming the ban is unconstitutional, the federal appeals court upheld the law, and the Supreme Court ultimately confirmed the ban. As the clock ticked down to the January 2025 sale deadline, President Trump entered office with a different approach and announced his intention to work with service providers to extend the ban’s enforcement timeline, signaling to both ByteDance and U.S.-based users a potential compromise. 

While this move offers a delay in repercussions for ByteDance, it underscores the administration’s ongoing commitment to negotiating a path that ensures national security while keeping TikTok in the U.S. marketplace—highlighting President Trump’s view of the application’s role in both the marketplace and for free speech while maintaining a commitment to upholding the digital security and safety of Americans against a foreign adversary. 

The following represents a timeline of the TikTok conversation:  

  • March 2023 – Legislators conduct a six-hour Congressional hearing with TikTok CEO. 
  • March 2024 – H.R. 7521, forcing TikTok to sell to a U.S. company or be banned from U.S. use, is passed. 
  • April 2024 – Senate passes the bill; President Biden signs. 
  • May 2024 – A suit is brought against the U.S. for the ban, stating unconstitutionality. 
  • December 2024 – A federal appeals court upholds the law. 
  • January 2025 – The Supreme Court upholds the law; a ban is implemented.
  • January 19, 2025 – After the Biden administration cited that it would leave the enforcement of the ban to the Trump administration, incoming President Trump works with service providers to supply necessary legal assurances for allowing TikTok back in stores and hints at an extension in the timeline for negotiation.

A clear pathway forward under the Trump administration remains unclear. Trump’s confidant and advisor, Elon Musk, has publicly advocated for TikTok’s place in the U.S. Prior to his inauguration, Trump publicly stated through a post on Truth Social: “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.” 

Users on TikTok’s home screen saw the message, “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive. It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.” 

While a short-term victory for ByteDance, that last sentence is the most impactful. President Trump and his administration are not allowing negotiations about TikTok and its ownership to fade quietly into the night. If TikTok wants continuing, long-term operations in the United States, divestiture and a commitment to zero CCP access to U.S. data are its pathway forward. While details regarding what needs to occur to have TikTok pass legal muster in the United States are not readily available, President Trump has indicated that he would like to see a U.S. company own at least 50% of TikTok’s U.S.-based operations, subjecting TikTok to U.S. laws and regulations. Conversations are ongoing in the U.S. business community for a potential sale, including through a major investor group led by Mr. Beast.

While TikTok may seem like an arbitrary battle to many Americans, the potential influence that the CCP has cannot be ignored. While Chinese businesses and China’s people are great partners to the United States, the CCP is not our friend. Gone are the days when war is fought solely through blatant hand-to-hand combat. Cyberwarfare is here to stay, and whether Americans are ready to address it or not, China is one of the best in the game. While I have strong personal beliefs on the role that social media is playing in the brain-drain of a generation, the problem here is not TikTok as an application. The issue is national security and not recognizing an adversary in action. Underestimating China’s creativity in developing this method of warfare and blindly trusting their involvement in our national security would be a major misjudgment, with consequences that could impact our nation for generations to come.