David Bridges
The ongoing saga surrounding TikTok in the U.S. continues to unfold with captivating drama and controversy.
As anticipated, the Supreme Court has officially declared its decision to uphold the Senate-endorsed “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act“, which mandates that TikTok, along with other applications owned by Chinese firms that have over a million U.S. users, must either be sold to American owners or cease their operations within the nation.
Consequently, TikTok is set to be disabled in the U.S. starting Sunday, leaving approximately 170 million American TikTok users searching for alternative ways to engage their time.
Is this really the end for TikTok?
It seems the narrative is far from over.
The TikTok ban is now entangled in a web of political maneuvering, as outgoing President Joe Biden appears to be distancing himself from the responsibility of enforcing the law, while incoming President Donald Trump has expressed his intentions to preserve the app for American users.
It seems TikTok is optimistic about Trump’s potential plans.
The CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, is scheduled to attend Trump’s inauguration next week, signaling a hopeful outlook for a resolution that will keep TikTok operational in the United States.
What actions might Trump take in this situation?
As mentioned earlier, if the Biden Administration refrains from enforcing the ban and does not compel app stores to remove TikTok on Sunday, this decision could extend into Trump’s administration once he is inaugurated next week. While this is not the conventional process, reports suggest this is the strategy being contemplated by Biden’s team to avoid further complications.
Legal analysts have indicated that post-inauguration, Trump could potentially issue an executive order directing agencies to refrain from enforcing the TikTok ban, effectively counteracting the approved legislation. However, this would also conflict with the Senate-endorsed law and challenge the previous ruling.
Such a move might create friction between Trump and various senators, but given the current political landscape, tensions are already high.
Trump has stated that he recently spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping, discussing TikTok among other significant matters.
He has also indicated that he is currently reviewing the situation:
What implications does this hold for U.S. TikTokers and the future of the app?
Despite the legal judgment, it appears that TikTok might not face an immediate shutdown and could continue its operations without interruption post-Sunday. However, there is a possibility that the app could be temporarily disabled, allowing Trump additional time to negotiate alternatives that align with the stipulations of the approved legislation.
It seems more likely that a temporary shutdown could occur based on legal precedents, but both outcomes remain within the realm of possibility.
The resolution to this unfolding drama will be revealed in just two days.
Maya Kensington
Tessa Everly
