Trump on future of TikTok: 'Stay tuned!'

President-elect Trump said Friday he would weigh the future of TikTok once his administration takes over the White House after the Supreme Court upheld a law requiring the app's China-based parent company to divest or face a ban starting Sunday.

“It ultimately goes up to me, so you’re going to see what I’m going to do,” Trump told CNN after the ruling was announced.

“Congress has given me the decision, so I’ll be making the decision," Trump added.

Later on his Truth Social social media platform, Trump said the Supreme Court's decision must be respected and that he would "review the situation."

"The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!" Trump said.

The justices earlier Friday unanimously sided with the Biden administration, finding that the divest-or-ban law does not violate the First Amendment. Trump had urged the justices to delay the deadline so he could negotiate a deal, but the court instead acted with breakneck speed.

The White House in its statement following the court's opinion said it would not enforce a ban on Biden's last day in office, and instead leave that decision to Trump's incoming administration.

Trump signed an executive order in 2020, during his first term, effectively banning TikTok over data privacy concerns because of its parent company, ByteDance. While the order was never enacted after legal challenges, Trump has in the past year become an outspoken fan of TikTok, citing his popularity on the app during his campaign.

Some of Trump's top advisers in recent days said he will act upon taking office Monday to preserve access to the app while addressing data privacy concerns.

“TikTok itself is a fantastic platform,” incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz said on Fox News. “I wish I could have it on my phone. The algorithm is amazing. We’re going to find a way to preserve it but protect people’s data. And that’s the deal that will be in front of us.”

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will attend Trump’s inauguration and sit on the dais with other tech leaders. The president-elect said Friday that he discussed the fate of TikTok with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a call.

Updated 11:23 a.m.

Topics

Oracle May Hold TikTok’s Future in Its Hands

The company is one of the app’s leading server providers, managing the data centers where billions of 40-second videos are stored.
The New York Times - 2h
Pence urges Trump to stay committed to Taiwan during surprise visit to Taipei

The incoming Trump administration should renew its commitment to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself, former Vice President Mike Pence said.
NBC News - 14h
Danish prime minister tells Trump Greenland will decide its future

The Danish prime minister told President-elect Trump that Greenland will decide its future in a call Wednesday, according to a press release. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that in ...
The Hill - 1d
TikTok CEO attending Trump inauguration

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will attend President-elect Trump's inauguration next week, one day after a potential ban of the video sharing platform could take effect in the U.S., according to a source ...
The Hill - 1d
Supreme Court hears arguments in battle over TikTok's future

The government and lawyers for TikTok argued over the future of TikTok and whether a law should be upheld requiring a ban on TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell it. Government lawyers ...
NBC News - 6d
TikTok's future in the US rests with the Supreme Court

The platform with nearly 170 million American users is challenging a law that would see it banned in the US in a matter of days.
BBC News - 6d
TikTok’s future hangs in balance at Friday’s Supreme Court arguments

TikTok’s future will hang in the balance Friday when the Supreme Court hears oral arguments over a federal law that could ban the video-sharing platform nationwide in less than 10 days. In its ...
The Hill - Jan. 10
With TikTok’s Future Uncertain, Livestream Shopping Startups Are Making Moves

How TikTok Shop’s rivals are preparing to swoop up the e-commerce giant’s market share.
Inc. - Jan. 9
Muslim, Arab voters face uncertain political future under Trump

Muslim and Arab American voters in the U.S. face an uncertain political future as President-elect Trump prepares to take office later this month. Long considered a reliable part of the Democratic ...
The Hill - Jan. 6