Trump Floats 90-Day TikTok Ban Reprieve

In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of granting TikTok a 90-day reprieve from its impending ban in the United States. The announcement comes as the popular video-sharing app faces a shutdown on Sunday, January 19, following a Supreme Court decision upholding a law that requires its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations or face a ban.



Trump, who takes office on Monday, January 20, suggested during an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that he is "most likely" to grant the 90-day extension. This extension would provide ByteDance with additional time to find a non-Chinese buyer for TikTok's U.S. operations, potentially saving the app from a ban. The extension would also give the Trump administration time to review the situation and potentially find a solution to keep TikTok running in the U.S.



The Biden administration has stated that it will not enforce the law, leaving it to the incoming Trump administration to implement the ban. TikTok, however, has expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the ban and has warned that its U.S. services will "go dark" unless the Biden administration provides assurances that the law will not be used to punish service providers.

The potential 90-day reprieve comes as a relief to TikTok's 170 million U.S. users, who have been anticipating a shutdown of the app. The extension would allow TikTok to continue operating as usual, providing users with access to the app and its content. However, the final decision on the extension rests with Trump, who has yet to make a definitive announcement.



The 90-day extension could also provide ByteDance with valuable time to negotiate a sale or alternative solution for TikTok's U.S. operations. With more time, ByteDance might be able to secure a better price or terms for the sale, potentially maximizing the value of the deal. Additionally, a 90-day extension could attract more potential buyers, as they would have more time to evaluate the opportunity and conduct due diligence. This increased interest could lead to a more competitive bidding process, potentially resulting in a higher sale price or more favorable terms for ByteDance.

In conclusion, Trump's hint at a 90-day reprieve for TikTok offers a glimmer of hope for the app's 170 million U.S. users and its parent company, ByteDance. The extension would provide additional time for negotiations and potentially save TikTok from a ban. However, the final decision on the extension rests with Trump, and the ultimate outcome for TikTok remains uncertain. As the situation unfolds, investors and users alike will be watching closely to see how the Trump administration handles the TikTok ban issue.