President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to save TikTok from a federal ban, proposing a U.S. government stake in the app.
TikTok Ban Sparks Legal Debates
On Sunday, Trump revealed his intention to issue an executive order granting TikTok a temporary reprieve, allowing time to negotiate a deal that involves a 50% U.S. ownership stake. The proposal has raised concerns about its legality and the feasibility of approval from China, where ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is headquartered.
“My initial thought is a joint venture… whereby the U.S. gets a 50% ownership,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
This announcement followed TikTok’s shutdown Saturday night, leaving 170 million U.S. users in the dark and prompting widespread criticism of the ban’s enforcement.
Red Tape and Resistance
Trump’s approach faces significant legal hurdles. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), both staunch supporters of the ban, argued that the president lacks the authority to grant extensions or override the law without concrete steps toward divestiture.
“Now that the law has taken effect, there’s no legal basis for any kind of ‘extension,’” Cotton and Ricketts stated.
Additionally, app store operators like Apple and Google face daily fines of $5,000 per user for hosting TikTok, a liability that could amount to billions of dollars. Despite Trump’s assurances of protection, many companies, including Apple, chose to comply with the law and remove TikTok from their platforms.
Political Divides and Corporate Compliance
Trump’s proposal has also sparked divisions within Congress. While some Democrats, like Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), expressed disappointment over TikTok’s shutdown, others, such as former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, criticized efforts to accommodate the app.
Republicans remain skeptical of Trump’s plan. Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, faced backlash during her confirmation hearing for refusing to commit to enforcing the TikTok ban.
TikTok’s Response
TikTok’s decision to shut down its U.S. feed has been seen as a strategic move to pressure lawmakers. In a message displayed on the app, TikTok stated:
“We are fortunate that [Trump] will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.”
However, legal experts argue that TikTok could have maintained operations by moving servers overseas, underscoring its choice to amplify the impact of the shutdown.
Future Uncertain for TikTok
Trump’s plans to nationalize part of TikTok and negotiate its future face not only legal and political scrutiny but also resistance from Chinese authorities. With both Republicans and Democrats voicing skepticism, the app’s fate remains uncertain as Trump prepares to take office.
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