As Trump gears up for another term, new reports suggest he’s poised to reverse his previous ban on TikTok, signaling a pivot that could keep the platform thriving in the U.S.
A Shift in Strategy for TikTok
Reports from the Washington Post, New York Times, and Associated Press indicate that President-elect Donald Trump is expected to reverse his initial stance on TikTok, a position he aggressively held during his first term. Back in 2020, Trump’s executive order aimed at banning the app was blocked by a federal court, which ruled that his use of emergency powers overstepped legal boundaries. Now, insiders familiar with his views hint that Trump is likely to embrace the platform rather than restrict it, especially considering his recent popularity on TikTok, where he’s gained over 14 million followers. During his campaign, he even encouraged voters who support the app to back him, pledging to “save TikTok” from potential restrictions.
Opposition to the New Legislation
In a surprising twist, Trump has publicly opposed the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed by outgoing President Joe Biden. This law, aimed at forcing ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell its U.S. operations, sets a deadline of January 19—just a day before Trump’s inauguration. Trump has voiced strong opinions against enforcing this law, expressing concerns about the effects of a TikTok sale on both free speech and market competition. In a CNBC interview, he criticized the potential ban, stating, “Without TikTok, you can make Facebook bigger, and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people.”
ByteDance’s Hopes and Trump’s Options
For ByteDance, Trump’s return could be a lifeline. According to sources cited by the Washington Post, the company had anticipated that Trump’s victory might lead to a reconsideration of the current restrictions. ByteDance proposed “Project Texas,” a plan to work with the U.S. government on data oversight, which the Biden administration rejected. However, under Trump’s administration, such a compromise may now gain traction. Trump could also avoid enforcing the app store restrictions in the interim or work with Congress to repeal any impending ban. However, as one legal expert told Politico, “Trump is incredibly fickle,” leaving the door open to various outcomes.
Conway’s Take: TikTok and Personal Choice
Longtime Trump ally Kellyanne Conway notes that Trump’s stance aligns with his broader philosophy against government overreach and bans, which she attributes primarily to Democrats. According to Conway, Trump values TikTok’s broad reach and sees it as a tool for engaging millions of Americans, especially younger users. She stated that Trump recognized early on that the “party of bans” had traditionally leaned Democratic, with restrictions on everything from gas-powered cars to menthol cigarettes, adding that Trump’s defense of TikTok reinforces his position on personal choice.
As Trump prepares to take office, TikTok’s future in the U.S. seems brighter, potentially reversing the app’s earlier turmoil and establishing it as a mainstay for American social media users.
[H/T] – Music Business Worldwide