Trump’s Claims Could Determine the Fate of TikTok in the US

The future of TikTok in the US remains uncertain, with a Supreme Court ruling looming on whether a law requiring the app’s sale or potential ban is constitutional. The law could force TikTok to divest by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. At the centre of the debate is Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as the key figure capable of negotiating a solution.

Trump has formally asked the Supreme Court to delay the TikTok ban, citing his unique dealmaking skills and his influential presence on social media, particularly TikTok itself. He claims that as the incoming president, he is the only one with the political mandate and experience to resolve the national security concerns surrounding the app while keeping it operational in the US.

The ban stems from concerns that TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, could be used by the Chinese government to access American user data. While TikTok disputes this and argues it violates First Amendment rights, Trump’s opposition to the ban also aligns with his broader political stance against Meta, which he has often criticised.

With the Supreme Court hearing still ongoing, the deadline for action is fast approaching. If the ban goes into effect, Apple and Google may be forced to remove TikTok from their app stores. However, as Trump prepares to take office, the question remains whether he will intervene, and if so, how. Legal experts suggest that ByteDance may reconsider its position once the ban is imminent, potentially paving the way for a last-minute resolution. For now, the fate of TikTok in the US, and its critical role in the music industry, hangs in the balance.

Read the full CMU article here