Biden Hands TikTok’s Fate Over to Trump

The looming ban on TikTok in the U.S., set to take effect on January 19, remains uncertain.

President Joe Biden has chosen not to make a final decision on the issue, leaving the fate of the social media platform in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump.

Biden's administration has opted against blocking TikTok outright, instead giving the incoming administration an opportunity to find a compromise. Earlier, the Supreme Court upheld the platform’s ban. While Trump called the decision "expected," he stated that he is still evaluating the situation:

The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned! – Trump wrote.

During his first term, Trump was a staunch advocate for banning TikTok, citing national security concerns over its ties to Chinese parent company ByteDance. However, his stance has since softened. He acknowledged TikTok’s role in mobilizing young voters during his campaign and even promised to save the platform.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration, taking a prominent seat alongside tech leaders like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.

Trump's National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, hinted that the new administration might consider extending the deadline to reach an agreement with ByteDance, potentially avoiding a ban altogether.