Trump Likely to Grant TikTok 90-Day Extension, Avoiding Immediate Ban

     President-elect Donald Trump has indicated that he is inclined to grant TikTok a 90-day extension, potentially averting an imminent ban on the popular video-sharing app in the United States. In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump stated that he would "most likely" provide TikTok with additional time to negotiate a deal that would allow it to continue operating in the country.

     The current deadline for TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations is set for Sunday, January 19, 2025. This deadline was established by a law passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last year, which mandated that TikTok sever ties with ByteDance or face a nationwide ban.

     Trump, who is set to be inaugurated on Monday, January 20, told NBC's "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker, "I think that would be, certainly, an option that we look at. The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it's appropriate." He added that his administration needs to examine the situation carefully, given its significance.

     The president-elect's stance marks a shift from his previous position during his first term when he attempted to ban TikTok through executive orders. Those efforts were ultimately blocked by the courts. Trump's change of heart is reportedly influenced by TikTok's role in his recent election campaign, where he garnered significant support from younger voters through the platform.

     The potential extension comes at a critical time, as TikTok had announced it would be "forced to go dark" unless it received clear assurances from the Biden administration regarding non-enforcement of the ban. The White House dismissed this statement as a "stunt," emphasizing that the implementation of the law would fall to the incoming Trump administration.

     If granted, the 90-day extension would give TikTok more time to work out a deal that addresses national security concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers. These concerns stem from ByteDance's alleged ties to the Chinese government and the potential for user data exploitation. The situation remains fluid, with various stakeholders, including potential buyers and TikTok's 170 million U.S. users, anxiously awaiting a resolution. Trump has stated that if he decides to grant the extension, he will likely announce it on Monday, following his inauguration.

     As the clock ticks down to the Sunday deadline, the tech industry, TikTok users, and policymakers are closely watching for Trump's official decision, which could significantly impact the future of one of the world's most popular social media platforms in the United States.