Nairobi, Kenya, November 14 – President-elect Donald Trump may be reconsidering his stance on banning TikTok, as a deadline for the company to either sell to a U.S. investor or leave the country is nearing.
During his presidential campaign, Trump began signaling support for the popular video-sharing app, deviating from the strict policy he had adopted during his first term.
This policy, supported by lawmakers from both parties, was driven by national security concerns due to TikTok’s ties to China.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, emphasized that Trump’s reelection gives him a mandate to fulfill his campaign promises, saying, “He will deliver.”
Reversing the TikTok ban would be a major shift, as Trump had previously issued an executive order in 2020 to ban the app due to fears that the Chinese government could monitor and misuse American data.
However, his stance softened over the campaign months, especially as he gained a following on the platform. In a video on Truth Social, Trump encouraged his supporters to vote for him to “save TikTok in America,” contrasting his position with opponents who he said would close it down.
The details of Trump’s plan to “save” the app remain unclear, but his change in tone might offer TikTok a final opportunity to remain operational in the U.S.
TikTok, currently facing a U.S. ban, has been in a prolonged legal battle with the government, with the case likely to reach the Supreme Court. A federal appeals court has been asked to make a ruling by December 6, and this decision is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court. Under a new law signed by President Joe Biden, TikTok must shut down its U.S. operations by January 19 unless a sale is underway, a deadline that could extend into Trump’s second term if a sale process is ongoing.
