President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order this week, extending the deadline for the Chinese company ByteDance to divest its popular social media app TikTok. The announcement was made by the White House on Tuesday.
Earlier in April, Trump had signed an order that allowed TikTok to continue operating for an additional 75 days, as negotiations for a potential sale to American ownership were put on hold. According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, this latest extension will continue for 90 days, during which the Administration aims to finalize the deal, thus ensuring the American public can use TikTok with improved data security.
While traveling back to Washington on Air Force One from the Group of Seven summit in Canada, Trump expressed confidence that Chinese President Xi Jinping would eventually approve the divestment of TikTok’s U.S. operations. This will mark the third time Trump has extended the deadline for divesting TikTok. The initial executive order was issued on January 20, the first day of his presidency, after the app briefly went offline following a Congressional ban upheld by the Supreme Court. The second extension occurred in April, but the potential deal for a U.S. spinoff fell through when China withdrew after Trump’s tariff announcement.
TikTok has proven to be a significant platform for Trump, garnering over 15 million followers since his joining last year, which he credits for enhancing his appeal to younger voters. His positive view towards TikTok reflects a broader recognition of the platform’s influence in connecting with diverse audiences.
This extension demonstrates the ongoing complexity and negotiations surrounding TikTok’s ownership and operational future in the U.S., while also highlighting the app’s cultural significance in modern politics.