Trump’s team aims to keep TikTok operational in the US if a deal can be reached
Washington: So, here’s the scoop. Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, mentioned that they plan to keep TikTok running in the US if a solid deal comes through. He said they’ll take steps to prevent the app from going dark.
Waltz pointed out that the law allows a 90-day extension for TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sort things out. This gives Trump some breathing room to keep the app alive.
Now, TikTok hasn’t said anything yet, but it’s a big deal. There’s talk that TikTok might shut down its US operations soon, especially with a federal ban looming. This ban could kick in if ByteDance doesn’t sell off TikTok.
Users who already have the app can still use it, but new downloads will be blocked. Plus, US companies won’t be able to help with updates or maintenance once the ban starts.
Interestingly, TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, is set to attend Trump’s inauguration. Some folks are raising eyebrows about this, especially since Trump has been vocal about banning TikTok due to security concerns.
Representative Frank Pallone criticized the invitation, questioning what message it sends about Trump’s stance on China and TikTok. It’s a bit of a mixed signal, right?
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is mulling over whether to uphold the law that could lead to TikTok’s ban. ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is mostly owned by big investors, and they have a significant workforce in the US.
