Trump Signs Order to Pause US TikTok Ban

President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order to delay restrictions on TikTok after the app went dark for American users due to a federal law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations. Trump emphasized the need to protect national security while allowing time for a potential sale, proposing the U.S. take a 50% ownership stake in a joint venture with TikTok. He urged tech companies not to let the app remain offline, stating, 'Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday.' The app was removed from digital stores by Google and Apple as part of compliance with the law. Trump's executive order would prevent any liability for companies that assisted in keeping TikTok operational during this period. This move reflects ongoing tensions surrounding foreign ownership of popular U.S. social media platforms.