Trump open to delaying TikTok ban again

Donald Trump has said he’s willing to extend the deadline for a TikTok ban in the U.S. for a third time if a deal to transfer control of the platform’s U.S. operations isn’t reached by June 19.

In a recent interview, Trump said he supports finding a solution and does not plan to use the issue as a hardline bargaining chip in trade talks with China — though he acknowledged the deal could be part of a broader agreement on tariff reductions. “TikTok is — it’s very interesting, but it will be protected,” he noted, adding that the platform has helped boost his popularity among younger voters.

Under current U.S. law, TikTok must be placed under American ownership, with user data processed through Oracle and the platform governed by a domestic consortium. However, negotiations with ByteDance — TikTok’s China-based parent company — remain stalled.

With U.S.–China tensions rising, TikTok continues to be seen as both a national security issue and a potential lever in broader economic diplomacy.