Can Donald Trump Save TikTok Before It Gets Banned On THIS Date?

A federal appeals court upheld legislation that could ban TikTok in the United States, setting the stage for a Supreme Court battle and political challenges under President-elect Donald Trump.

Court Ruling Upholds TikTok Ban

On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld a legislation that requires ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell off its stake by January 19, 2025, or risk an outright ban.

According to the court, if ByteDance did not follow the ruling, TikTok would be shut down in the United States. “This decision has significant implications for TikTok and its users,” the ruling noted. If the app is prohibited, millions of users would have to find other platforms, the judges stated.

The legal team for TikTok has promised to challenge the decision. The business said it was hopeful that the Supreme Court will uphold the right to free expression of Americans. According to the firm, “the TikTok ban is based on flawed and hypothetical claims,” and it would “silence the voices of over 170 million Americans.”

Legislative Context of the Ban

In April, Congress approved the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACAA), which President Joe Biden signed into law. Because of worries about possible Chinese spying and national security, the law forbids TikTok from being owned by Chinese people.

The deadline for ByteDance’s divestiture was set by the Biden administration at January 19. Questions about whether Trump’s administration would change or postpone the legislation are raised by the timeframe, which sets the decision right before his inauguration on January 20.

Trump’s Campaign Promises

Trump, the incoming president, has alluded to attempts to stop a TikTok ban. Trump said he would “save TikTok” throughout the campaign trail and charged that the Biden administration was endangering the liberties of its users. In September, he wrote on Truth Social, “Vote for Trump if you like TikTok.”

Trump’s intention to keep his campaign pledges has been indicated by his transition team. Trump will follow the voters’ directive, according to spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. His position, meanwhile, seems to go against his earlier pledges to oppose Chinese spying and influence.

Potential Congressional Challenges

If Trump tries to change or eliminate PAFACAA, he may encounter less opposition now that Republicans have taken control of both houses of Congress. Regarding TikTok, Republican legislators are split; some favor tougher regulations on Chinese tech firms.

ByteDance has persisted in its legal attempts to contest the regulation, even in the event that Trump steps in. The business claims it violates First Amendment rights and has asked the D.C. Court of Appeals to examine its legitimacy.