Trump Delays TikTok Ban, Proposes US Ownership Venture

TikTok's Temporary Shutdown and Potential Resolution

Users in the United States experienced a disruption in TikTok service on Saturday evening. However, a prolonged absence of the platform appears unlikely.

President-elect Donald Trump communicated via Truth Social on Sunday morning, indicating his intention to issue an executive order on Monday. This order will aim to extend the timeframe before the law's restrictions become active.

Proposed Extension and Ownership Structure

Trump stated the extension is intended to facilitate negotiations for a deal that safeguards national security interests. Prior to the service interruption, he had indicated a “most likely” 90-day extension would be granted to TikTok.

His Sunday post also outlined a preliminary concept for a potential agreement. This involves a joint venture, potentially with current or new ownership, granting the U.S. a 50% ownership stake.

Legislative Background and Previous Attempts

Last April, a bipartisan consensus in both the House and Senate resulted in legislation compelling ByteDance to either divest TikTok or face a ban within the United States. President Joe Biden swiftly signed this law into effect.

Interestingly, Trump, who previously attempted to compel ByteDance to sell TikTok during his initial term, voiced opposition to the current ban.

Supreme Court Ruling and Transition of Responsibility

Following the Supreme Court's affirmation of the law on Friday, its implementation was scheduled for Sunday. Officials from the White House and Department of Justice signaled they would defer the ban’s enforcement to the incoming administration.

TikTok, however, requested a more “definitive statement” assuring critical service providers would not face repercussions for continuing to host or list the application. Without such assurances, the app would cease functioning. (A White House spokesperson characterized TikTok’s stance as “a stunt.”)

TikTok's Response and Trump's Appeal

Upon the app’s shutdown, TikTok conveyed a message to its users, expressing optimism that President Trump would collaborate on a solution to restore TikTok upon assuming office.

Trump’s recent post suggests a desire to see TikTok operational even before the issuance of his executive order. He is “asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark” and intends for his order to “confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order.”

Importance of Access During Inauguration

Trump emphasized the importance of continued access to the platform, stating, “Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations.”