TikTok’s Fate in Trump’s Hands as Biden Exits Without Ban Enforcement

In a surprising turn, President Joe Biden has deferred the decision on TikTok’s potential ban to President-elect Donald Trump, just days before his inauguration. Despite a law requiring TikTok’s parent company ByteDance to divest the app by January 19, Biden has opted not to enforce the ban, leaving its implementation to Trump.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration, signaling the incoming administration’s possible efforts to prevent the app from being banned. While Trump previously advocated for TikTok’s ban, he has since pledged to keep it accessible, acknowledging its role in his campaign’s outreach to younger voters.

Democratic and Republican leaders remain divided on the issue, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer calling for an extension to avoid disrupting millions of users, and Republican Senator Tom Cotton insisting on immediate action against what he calls a “Chinese Communist spy app.”

As the Supreme Court deliberates on the legality of the divestment law, Trump’s team hints at a potential deal to secure TikTok’s future in the U.S., aiming to balance national security concerns with the app’s popularity.