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Executive Summary:
With Donald Trump returning to the White House, questions arise about the future of TikTok in the United States. During his campaign, Trump promised to “save TikTok” and utilized the platform to connect with younger voters, suggesting he may oppose the current Senate-approved TikTok sell-off bill, which would require the platform’s U.S. operations to be under American ownership rather than Chinese. The Chinese government has strongly opposed this measure, indicating that enforcement could lead to TikTok’s exit from the U.S. rather than a smooth ownership transfer.
Trump’s potential to repeal the sell-off bill could align with his campaign stance, but doing so would challenge the Senate’s decision, creating political tensions. Ironically, Trump was the first to propose a TikTok ban in 2020 due to unrelated personal and political motivations, contrasting with today’s concerns over cybersecurity and national security. However, his recent use of TikTok for campaign purposes seems to have softened his stance, presenting a possible opening for the app’s management to lobby for its continued operation in the U.S.
While it’s uncertain if Trump will act to reverse the bill, his administration’s stance could provide TikTok with a renewed opportunity to solidify its U.S. presence. The platform’s management and lobbyists now have a chance to present their case, though top cybersecurity advisors may still influence Trump’s decision in the coming months.
