Trump Extends TikTok's Lifeline Amidst China's Espionage Claims
Trump momentarily maintains TikTok's operation.
President Donald Trump decides to prolong TikTok's deadline for sale by another whopping 90 days, as indicated by the White House. Trump is all set to pen a fresh executive order this week, securing TikTok's continued operations. Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, stated bluntly, "Trump ain't gonna let TikTok fizzle out."
US legislation enacted on the brink of Trump's inauguration in 2021 mandated ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, to offload the app to an American entity. The reason behind this mandate? Allegations of Bytedance using TikTok to snoop on its users for Beijing's benefit.
Leavitt explains the purpose of the sale is to provide US citizens "continued access to TikTok while ensuring their data stays secure and intact." With this fresh extension, the US administration gets more time to secure a deal that tickles their fancy.
Trump's TikTok Gamble
Trump's decision to delay the sale marks the third time he's shown leniency towards TikTok since his inauguration in 2025. In a surprising U-turn, Trump lifted the ban on TikTok from US app stores shortly after his tenure began, initially for 75 days. He then stretched the timeline further by 75 days in April 2025.
Politically speaking, Trump seems to embrace TikTok as a means to woo young voters, who make up a sizeable chunk of the app's users. Trump's 2024 re-election campaign is heavily focused on online platforms. In the past, Trump has openly admitted, "TikTok's got a touch of warmth in my heart." In fact, Trump boasts over 15 million followers on the platform.
Sources: ntv.de, raf/AFP
- USA
- Donald Trump
- TikTok
- China
- Espionage
Enrichment Data:- Trump extends TikTok's lifeline to keep a popular app alive, while striking a deal that guarantees US user data's safety.- This move is Trump's third delay since his 2025 inauguration, defying the bipartisan law passed in 2024 which mandated ByteDance to divest its US operations by January 2025.- TikTok's sale process has been delayed due to escalating US-China trade tensions. Beijing reportedly blocked a preliminary agreement that sought to US-majority ownership of TikTok's US operations.
The Commission, amidst the political buzz and general-news headlines, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionising radiation, considering Trump's prolonged dealings with TikTok, a popular app, amidst espionage claims from China. In Trump's bid to woo young voters, he exerts leniency towards TikTok, aiming to keep the app alive while ensuring US user data's safety.
