The clock is ticking for TikTok in the United States, and former President Donald Trump is feeling the heat. Three Democratic senators — Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, and Cory Booker — reportedly sent a letter this week urging the White House to push back the app’s sale deadline from April 5 to October. They want Trump to work with Congress to make it happen, rather than going it alone like he did earlier this year. Back in January, Trump bumped the deadline from January 19 to April 5 without lawmakers’ approval — a move the senators called “unlawful” and shaky ground for TikTok’s future.
The push comes from a law passed last year with support from both parties. It demands that TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, sell a majority stake to American buyers or face a nationwide ban. Washington has been jittery about the app for a while, worried that Beijing could tap into user data or use it to sway opinions. TikTok’s massive following — 170 million Americans scroll through it daily — makes the stakes even higher. You can read more about TikTok’s popularity in the USA here.
The senators argue that a quick fix won’t cut it. They’re pressing Trump to back a legislative plan that gives TikTok a solid lifeline through October. “The path to saving TikTok should run through Capitol Hill,” they wrote, nudging him to rally congressional Republicans for a long-term answer. Meanwhile, a deal might already be brewing. Reuters reported last week that talks led by the White House could see Oracle and other big non-Chinese investors take over TikTok’s U.S. operations, shrinking ByteDance’s control to dodge the ban.
This isn’t the first time TikTok’s been on the ropes. It flickered offline briefly after Trump’s inauguration, only to bounce back. We covered the chaos in our piece on the details of the ban. Adding to the mix, a U.S. lawsuit recently spilled details on TikTok Live’s money-making potential — think billions in just two years.
Trump’s got options on the table. He’s hinted at talks with four groups about a deal and could extend the deadline again. But the senators want clarity — will he go solo or lean on Congress? And is that Oracle plan for real? With TikTok’s 170 million users watching closely, Trump’s next move could make or break the app’s American story.
Dwayne Cubbins
772 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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