Trump delays TikTok ban, suggests U.S. government own 50% of app, sparking legal and political concerns.

From Investing.com: 2025-01-20 23:45:53

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to delay the TikTok ban for 75 days, aiming to keep the app alive by suggesting the U.S. government should be a half owner of TikTok’s U.S. business. TikTok used by 170 million Americans briefly went offline and was restored Sunday. Trump’s order legality is uncertain.

Representative Frank Pallone criticized Trump’s order as it circumvents national security legislation passed by Congress, leading to uncertainty about TikTok’s fate. The executive order is part of a legal and political saga that lasted 48 hours, leaving many TikTok users anxious. Trump’s stance on TikTok has shifted from wanting to ban it in 2020 to saving it now.

Trump proposed the U.S. government owning 50% of TikTok, worth possibly billions, to safeguard the app. This marks a change from trying to ban it in 2020. The U.S. has never blocked a major social media platform, showing the unique nature of the situation with TikTok. Trump’s order directs companies not to penalize TikTok.

China showed willingness to negotiate a deal for TikTok’s U.S. operations, following Trump’s executive order to delay the app’s ban. Trump’s stance on TikTok has shifted, with him now wanting to preserve it and potentially have the U.S. government own a stake in the app. China believes companies should decide their own operations and deals.



Read more at Investing.com: TikTok gets reprieve with Trump order but with twist By Reuters