President-elect Donald Trump expressed support for TikTok’s continued operation in the U.S. during a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, highlighting the app’s significant impact on his presidential campaign, which garnered billions of views. His remarks come amidst concerns over national security that have led the Senate to pass a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app. As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear the case, Trump noted he would explore ways to possibly reverse the divestment order, suggesting TikTok could remain active in the U.S. for now. TikTok has argued that it operates independently in terms of data storage and content moderation, seeking to counter allegations of Chinese control.
By Gram Slattery
In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his support for TikTok to continue operating in the United States at a gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. This comes amid ongoing debates about the app’s Chinese ownership and its potential impacts on national security.
During his speech, Trump highlighted the significant traction his presidential campaign gained on TikTok, citing billions of views on the platform. “Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while,” he joked, suggesting that the app has been beneficial for reaching voters.
This statement marks one of the strongest indicators that Trump might oppose a forced divestiture of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. Just months ago, the U.S. Senate passed a law mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok due to security concerns. The law is currently being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear the case.
If the court rules against ByteDance and no sale occurs, TikTok could be banned in the U.S. as early as January 19, just before Trump takes office. However, how the incoming Trump administration would reverse this divestiture order remains unclear. He mentioned meeting with TikTok’s CEO, indicating a potential shift in the administration’s approach towards the popular social media platform.
TikTok has denied allegations that it poses a security risk, asserting that user data is stored in the U.S. on Oracle cloud servers, with all content moderation for American users conducted domestically. The app argues that the concerns raised by the Justice Department are exaggerated and misrepresented.
As the legal battle continues, the future of TikTok in the United States hangs in the balance, drawing attention from users, lawmakers, and technology advocates alike.
What did Trump say about TikTok in the US?
Trump mentioned that it might be worth keeping TikTok in the US for a while.
Why is TikTok important in the US?
TikTok is popular among many users, especially younger people, and it has a big impact on social media trends.
Are there any concerns about TikTok?
Yes, some people worry about privacy and security issues related to data collection by TikTok.
What could keeping TikTok in the US mean for users?
If TikTok stays, users can keep enjoying their favorite videos and trends without interruption.
Is there a chance TikTok could be banned?
While no ban is currently set, discussions around TikTok can change quickly based on government decisions.
