David Bridges
With only 22 days left before TikTok faces a potential ban in the U.S., President-elect Donald Trump is making strides to fulfill his campaign promise to protect this popular social media platform.
At the very least, he is seeking a chance to negotiate a viable alternative that ensures the app remains accessible to American users, who number in the millions.
Today, the Trump transition team submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court, requesting a postponement of the enforcement actions against TikTok. This move aims to allow Trump to leverage his “expertise in deal-making” to broker a resolution that satisfies both governmental concerns and the app’s user base.
According to the brief:
“Through his historic victory on November 5, 2024, President Trump has obtained a significant electoral mandate from the American populace to safeguard the free speech rights of all citizens, including the approximately 170 million users of TikTok. President Trump is uniquely positioned to defend these interests, as “the President and the Vice President of the United States are the only elected officials who represent all the voters in the Nation.”
Furthermore, the brief highlights that Trump has become “one of the most powerful, prolific, and influential users of social media in history,” thereby granting him a distinct perspective on the potential benefits and risks associated with TikTok.
“In line with his commanding presence on social platforms, President Trump has amassed 14.7 million followers on TikTok, engaging with them regularly. This active interaction allows him to critically assess TikTok’s significance as a unique platform for freedom of expression, particularly concerning core political discourse.”
Unlike regular users, Trump possesses insights into how such platforms can be manipulated for influence operations. This understanding aligns with the classified briefings from cybersecurity experts, which prompted a majority of U.S. senators to support the TikTok divestment proposal initially.
Despite his previous stance against the app, Trump has expressed a newfound appreciation for TikTok, stating that he enjoys it because he has become a “big star” on the platform. This marks a significant shift from his earlier push for a divestment back in 2020, reflecting Trump’s tendency to align his interests with his actions.
Consequently, Trump is now advocating for an extension of the deadline, which could facilitate a new arrangement for TikTok’s operations in the U.S.
In 2020, Trump initially sought a sell-off of TikTok as a response to China’s actions regarding COVID-19. Eventually, he reached a proposed deal where the app would be sold to a consortium led by Oracle and Walmart, benefitting his acquaintance, Oracle’s CEO Larry Ellison.
Perhaps Trump could consider revisiting that agreement, which had nearly received approval before the Biden administration reassessed its strategy. This reassessment allowed TikTok to continue operating under Chinese ownership, but with Trump back in office, there’s a possibility that the previous deal could be reignited, potentially securing the app’s future in the U.S.
Alternatively, Trump may have other strategies in mind. Regardless, the looming deadline means TikTok could be ousted from the U.S. market before he officially takes office, diminishing his ability to explore alternative solutions.
The Supreme Court is set to hear TikTok’s final appeal against the government’s divestment bill on January 10th. If the Court approves Trump’s request, it could prolong TikTok’s availability to American users, at least temporarily.
There remains uncertainty regarding how Trump and his team plan to intervene, but he clearly aims to halt the enactment of the bill. This could ultimately provide a crucial lifeline for TikTok’s extensive user base in the U.S., which is estimated to be around 170 million.
Mason Thompson
Clara Hastings
