Trump Grants Third Reprieve to TikTok Amidst Ongoing Sale Negotiations
President Donald Trump has once again delayed a potential ban on TikTok in the United States, signing a new executive order that extends the deadline for the popular video-sharing app to sell its U.S. operations by an additional 90 days.
This marks the third time the administration has postponed the looming prohibition since Trump assumed office in January. The move comes as negotiations for a deal to safeguard American user data continue behind closed doors, with little public information regarding their progress.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the extension, reiterating President Trump’s stance that he does not wish for TikTok to cease operations in the U.S. “As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark,” Leavitt stated, emphasizing that the 90-day grace period is intended to facilitate the finalization of a deal. The administration aims to ensure that American users can continue to access the platform with robust assurances about the security and privacy of their personal information.
Despite the extended deadlines, the specifics of a potential acquisition remain largely under wraps. Numerous entities have expressed interest in purchasing TikTok’s U.S. business, but any agreement would necessitate approval from Chinese authorities, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions. Previous reports in April hinted at a structure where existing U.S. investors might roll over their stakes into a new corporate entity, a plan that was reportedly disrupted by new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese imports.
The continuous delays highlight the intricate geopolitical and economic factors at play in the effort to resolve TikTok’s operational status in the United States. As millions of Americans rely on the platform for entertainment and communication, the outcome of these prolonged negotiations carries significant implications for both the tech industry and international relations.
