Donald Trump is set to become the next president of the United States, and his second term is expected to include several political actions related to the technology sector. One key action may involve his intervention to prevent the U.S. government from enforcing a ban on TikTok.
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According to the Washington Post, some of Trump’s top advisers believe that, once he takes office, he will try to support TikTok and ensure that the ban imposed during Joe Biden’s administration does not go into effect.
This situation is unusual, as Trump attempted to block both TikTok and WeChat during his first term in the White House. Furthermore, a major part of his recent presidential campaign focused on expanding his protectionist measures to take a stronger stance against China.
However, the president-elect’s view on TikTok shifted during the presidential race. Like his opponents, Joe Biden initially and later Kamala Harris, Donald Trump joined the popular video app to connect with younger audiences. And he was successful; within just a few months, the Republican gained more than 14 million followers on the platform.
Why Donald Trump Might Save TikTok from a U.S. Ban
There are several reasons why Donald Trump might aim to prevent TikTok from being banned. Firstly, it’s partly a matter of personal interest. The visibility he gained on the app during the presidential campaign reportedly impressed the president-elect. Trump now sees TikTok as a valuable political tool to have during his second term.
Trump’s advisers suggest that saving TikTok could help him stand apart from his Democratic opponents, whom they describe as frequent supporters of bans. “There are many ways to hold China accountable without alienating TikTok’s 180 million American monthly users,” former adviser Kellyanne Conway told The Washington Post. “Trump recognized early on that Democrats are the party of bans—whether it’s gas-powered cars, menthol cigarettes, e-cigarettes, plastic straws, or TikTok—and that they should own this restrictive, anti-choice approach.”
On the other hand, Donald Trump has openly criticized Meta and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, which is another reason he may want to prevent a ban on TikTok. A few months ago, Trump remarked that banning the ByteDance app would essentially hand the social media market over to Facebook and Instagram, which he labeled as “the true enemies of the people.”
A Complex Mission
Overturning the TikTok ban in the United States may not be easy for Donald Trump. In April, the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act was passed, which includes the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, commonly known as the TikTok Act.
This legislation gave ByteDance 270 days to sell the U.S. version of TikTok. If ByteDance does not comply, TikTok will be blocked and forced to cease operations in the U.S. Both Democrats and Republicans support this law, aiming to ensure TikTok cuts ties with China and continues operating under U.S. ownership. However, ByteDance has refused to comply with the order and has even sued the U.S. government, claiming the legislation is unconstitutional.
Adding to the challenge, Donald Trump is expected to appoint officials to his cabinet—especially in national security positions—who have supported a ban on TikTok. This could create obstacles to his efforts. However, the final decision would ultimately rest with the president, who could potentially repeal the law.
The next few months will be crucial for both sides. The TikTok ban is currently set to take effect on January 19, just one day before Trump takes office. However, this conflict may continue into his second term, depending on the platform’s ongoing legal efforts to prevent the ban.
