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Trump to Extend U.S. TikTok Ban Deadline by 90 Days, White House Confirms

TikTok will continue operating in the United States for at least three more months, as President Donald Trump prepares to extend the deadline for the platform’s sale or ban—his third such extension since taking office this year.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that Trump will sign a new executive order this week, allowing TikTok to remain active while negotiations continue.

“The 90-day extension will ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure,” Leavitt said.

The video-sharing app was previously facing a U.S. ban after its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, failed to transfer majority ownership to an American firm by the legal deadline. The law mandating the sale or ban—passed by Congress last year and signed by Trump’s predecessor—was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in January.

Before the official announcement, Trump had hinted at the move, saying, “We’ll probably have to get China approval. I think we’ll get it. I think President Xi will ultimately approve it.” When asked whether he had the legal authority to extend the deadline, Trump responded, “We do.”

Although the law received bipartisan support, Trump’s ongoing extensions have raised questions about whether a ban will ever take effect during his presidency. Analysts note that the repeated delays signal confidence from TikTok and its supporters.

“TikTok’s behavior indicates they’re confident in their future,” said Forrester principal analyst Kelsey Chickering. “They even launched new AI video tools at Cannes this week. This isn’t uncertainty—it’s strategy.”

TikTok briefly went offline for several hours during the weekend before Trump’s January inauguration but has since resumed normal operations. The company expressed appreciation for the platform’s continued availability.

Trump previously tried to force a TikTok sale in 2020, during his first term. More recently, he acknowledged the app’s influence in the 2024 presidential election, claiming it helped boost his support among younger voters.

“I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, because I won youth by 34 points,” Trump said in December, despite polling data showing most young voters favored his opponent.

Negotiations for a U.S.-based takeover have continued, with various parties expressing interest. A proposed deal to transfer majority control of TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American entity is still awaiting final agreement and regulatory approval from Chinese authorities.

Among the potential buyers are Oracle—backed by Trump ally Larry Ellison—as well as investor groups involving billionaire Frank McCourt, entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and YouTube star MrBeast.

As the deadline moves again, the fate of TikTok remains a key intersection of global tech, national security, and political influence—one where youth culture, data privacy, and diplomacy are all in play.

E-Jazz News