Trump Urges Supreme Court to Delay TikTok Ban, Seeks Political Resolution

 

President-elect Donald Trump has requested the U.S. Supreme Court to delay implementing a law that would either ban TikTok or force its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to an American firm. Trump argues that his incoming administration should be given time to explore a political solution to the matter.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the case on January 10, with the law set to take effect on January 19, just one day before Trump assumes office. If enforced, ByteDance must divest from TikTok or the app will face a nationwide ban. TikTok, which boasts over 170 million U.S. users, and its parent company have challenged the law in court.

Trump’s position marks a significant shift from his 2020 stance when he sought to ban TikTok and push for its sale to U.S. companies, citing concerns over its Chinese ownership. Now, his legal team is advocating for a delay in the law’s implementation, emphasizing the need for a “political resolution.”

“President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute,” stated D. John Sauer, Trump’s lawyer and nominee for U.S. Solicitor General. “Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment… permitting President Trump’s incoming administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution.”

Trump has previously expressed newfound support for TikTok, even meeting with its CEO, Shou Zi Chew, in December. During the meeting, he acknowledged his appreciation for the app and its role in generating billions of views during his presidential campaign.

TikTok maintains that it has taken significant measures to separate its U.S. operations from potential Chinese government influence. The company asserts that its recommendation algorithms and user data are stored on U.S.-based Oracle servers and that content moderation for U.S. users is managed domestically.

However, national security concerns persist. The Justice Department and numerous lawmakers argue that ByteDance’s Chinese ownership poses risks, a sentiment echoed by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and 21 other attorneys general who filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold the legislation.

Free speech advocates have raised alarms, likening the potential TikTok ban to censorship practices employed by authoritarian regimes. They argue that the law sets a dangerous precedent for restricting digital platforms.

As the January 19 deadline approaches, the Supreme Court’s decision could have far-reaching implications for TikTok’s future in the U.S. and the broader landscape of tech policy. Trump’s request for a delay underscores the complexity of balancing national security concerns, free speech, and economic interests in an increasingly digital world.