President-elect Trump has petitioned the Supreme Court to postpone a TikTok ban to allow for negotiations on a political solution.
President-elect Donald Trump is urging the Supreme Court to delay enforcement of a law mandating TikTok’s sale to a non-Chinese entity or face a ban. TikTok has challenged the legislation, arguing it violates the free speech rights of its 170 million American users and unfairly targets the platform.
The law’s effective date is January 19, 2025, a day before Trump’s inauguration. After this date, app stores and internet providers risk fines for hosting TikTok if it remains unsold.
In a legal filing, Trump’s incoming Solicitor General, John Sauer, argued the ban’s timing hinders the incoming administration’s ability to address security concerns and negotiate a “political” resolution. Sauer stated Trump considers TikTok a “unique medium for freedom of expression, including core political speech,” and is concerned about the precedent a ban might set.
This contrasts with Trump’s first term, when he aimed for an outright ban, citing similar security concerns.
During a December 16 press conference, President-elect Trump stated he has a “warm spot in [his] heart for TikTok,” claiming he “won youth by 34 points…There are those that say that TikTok has something to do with it.”
The law, signed by President Biden in April, compels TikTok to find a new owner within months or face a ban. It addresses national security concerns over alleged Chinese government influence. ByteDance stated at the time it had no plans to sell.
China’s Foreign Ministry called the potential ban “an act of bullying” with negative consequences for the US. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin asserted Washington hadn’t found evidence of TikTok posing a national security threat.
Reports indicate Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month; details remain undisclosed.
The Supreme Court will hear TikTok’s appeal, with oral arguments set for January 10, 2025.