Senate GOP Blocks TikTok Lifeline as CEO Prepares for Trump’s Inauguration

Senate Republicans halted efforts to extend TikTok’s deadline, despite CEO’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration, raising concerns for users.

Senate GOP Blocks TikTok Lifeline as CEO Prepares for Trump’s Inauguration
Senate GOP Blocks TikTok Lifeline as CEO Prepares for Trump’s Inauguration

Washington: So, here’s the scoop. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is pretty upset with the Republicans. They just blocked a last-minute effort to keep TikTok running in the U.S. This comes right as the CEO of TikTok is set to join tech bigwigs at Trump’s inauguration.

Now, if the Supreme Court doesn’t step in, Sunday is the big deadline. Lawmakers and President Biden want TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to either sell the app or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

Schumer argued on the Senate floor that more time is needed. He mentioned how many influencers rely on TikTok and how it’s crucial not to disrupt their lives. TikTok claims around 170 million Americans use the app.

Last night, Senate Democrats tried to push a bill to extend the deadline, but the Republicans shot it down. Schumer found it shocking since time is running out.

GOP Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts were the ones who objected to the extension. Cotton pointed out that ByteDance had plenty of warnings about this situation long before the deadline was set.

He emphasized that Congress just wants to ensure the app isn’t controlled by China, which they see as a national security risk. Back in April, lawmakers from both parties agreed on this, and Biden signed it into law.

Interestingly, Biden isn’t planning to enforce this law on his last day in office. Instead, it’ll be up to Trump’s team to deal with any fines against app stores that keep TikTok available after the deadline.

Meanwhile, Trump, who once tried to ban TikTok, has changed his tune. A source confirmed that TikTok’s CEO will be right there as Trump takes the oath of office.

Oh, and TikTok is still fighting back. They’ve sued to block the law and are waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision on whether they have to sell the app.

They argue they’re not owned by China, with their lawyer stating that ByteDance is based in the Cayman Islands, even though a small part is owned by a Chinese national.

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