Trump Administration Considers TikTok Ban Delay

As the January 19 deadline approaches, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance, with President-elect Donald Trump's administration exploring options to delay a ban that mandates its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest ownership. Trump's team, including incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz, is considering an executive order to postpone enforcement of the law, which would prevent TikTok from being banned for an additional 90 days if a viable sale is in progress. Waltz emphasized the administration's commitment to keeping TikTok operational as long as negotiations for a sale are ongoing, despite legal uncertainties surrounding such a move. The Supreme Court is also deliberating on the law's validity, which could impact the future of the app. Simultaneously, some lawmakers are urging President Biden to reconsider the ban and support a temporary extension for ByteDance to complete a sale. TikTok's CEO is expected to attend Trump's inauguration, raising questions about the administration's stance on the app amidst national security concerns.