Trump Meets TikTok CEO as App Faces Looming Ban
President-elect Donald Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday, marking a key moment in the ongoing battle over the app’s future in the United States. The meeting came just hours after TikTok filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court, seeking to delay a federal ban of the app that is set to take effect on January 19th.
TikTok’s appeal to the Supreme Court seeks a temporary block on the ban, allowing more time for a comprehensive review. Attorneys for the company argue that delaying enforcement would give the incoming administration time to evaluate the matter. Biden, under the law, could grant TikTok a one-time 90-day extension to find a buyer.
The legal battle over TikTok’s fate has escalated in recent weeks. A federal appeals court recently upheld the ban, arguing it met strict scrutiny standards required for government actions limiting free speech. TikTok’s emergency filing contends the ban would cause “immediate irreparable harm” to both the company and its millions of U.S. users, who rely on the platform for communication and creative expression.
What is the new legislation?
The legislation, signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this year, requires TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to a non-Chinese owner or face a nationwide ban. The law, passed with bipartisan support, cites national security concerns over potential Chinese state influence on the platform as the reason for the ban. Both TikTok and ByteDance have consistently denied these allegations.
Trump hints at support for TikTok
Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20th, has expressed a surprising fondness for TikTok despite supporting a ban during his first term as president. At a press conference earlier in the day, he said, “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with it.” Trump’s remarks stand in contrast to CNN’s 2024 exit polls, which showed that he lost the youth vote to Vice President Kamala Harris by 11 points.
The president-elect has hinted at exploring alternatives to the outright ban, though he has not outlined specific plans. “We’ll take a look,” Trump said, leaving open the possibility of a shift in approach once his administration takes over.
Chew’s meeting with Trump is believed to be their first since Trump’s election victory. Reports indicate that Chew has been seeking a meeting for weeks to discuss TikTok’s position, as the app faces potential removal from U.S. app stores and internet services, with steep penalties for noncompliance.
Critics of the ban argue it infringes on First Amendment rights, with TikTok’s legal team describing the app as a significant platform for public discourse. However, proponents point to the platform’s ownership as a risk to national security, with concerns about data privacy and content manipulation.
As the deadline approaches, the case has drawn national attention. A Supreme Court decision could provide temporary relief for TikTok, but the app’s long-term future remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Trump’s meeting with Chew suggests that the president-elect may have a different vision for TikTok’s role in America, though its fate still hangs in the balance.
