The ongoing battle over TikTok’s future in the U.S. has taken another turn. On Monday, three Democratic senators called on former President Donald Trump to support a congressional plan to extend the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell its U.S. operations. Their request comes as concerns over national security and data privacy continue to fuel debates around the popular social media app.
Why Is TikTok Under Pressure?
TikTok, which boasts 170 million American users, has been under scrutiny for years due to its Chinese ownership. U.S. lawmakers worry that the Chinese government could exploit the app to spread misinformation or gain access to user data. In response, Congress passed a law requiring ByteDance to sell a majority stake in TikTok to U.S. investors—or face a ban.
Trump initially extended the sale deadline from January 19 to April 5, allowing more time for a deal. Now, Senators Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, and Cory Booker are urging him to support an additional extension until October to ensure a well-structured transaction that safeguards users and national security.
Congress Wants a Say in the Deal
The senators argue that TikTok’s future should be decided by Congress rather than through unilateral executive actions. “The path to saving TikTok should run through Capitol Hill,” they stated in a letter to Trump. They also questioned the legality of his decision to delay enforcement of the law earlier this year.
Is a Deal in the Works?
According to sources, the White House is exploring a plan where existing U.S.-based investors in ByteDance, along with tech giant Oracle, would increase their stakes and gain control of TikTok’s American operations. This move aims to reduce Chinese ownership while avoiding a complete shutdown of the platform.
Reports suggest that Trump’s administration has been in discussions with multiple interested parties, but the specifics remain unclear. The Democratic senators are now demanding transparency on whether Trump intends to extend the deadline again and on what legal grounds.
What Happens Next?
The clock is ticking. If no deal is reached by April 5, TikTok could face serious legal and operational challenges in the U.S. However, if the sale deadline is extended, negotiations could continue, possibly leading to a resolution that satisfies both lawmakers and TikTok users.
The question remains: Will Trump support congressional efforts to keep TikTok alive under new ownership, or will he take matters into his own hands again?
