TikTok Ban Delayed: Trump Grants 75 Days to ByteDance for a U.S. Deal

The TikTok ban saga has taken yet another dramatic turn. In a surprising move, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order halting the nationwide ban on TikTok for 75 days. This delay provides ByteDance, the app's China-based parent company, with more time to either sell a stake in the platform or negotiate a new deal that ensures TikTok remains operational in the United States.

A Whirlwind Weekend for TikTok Users

TikTok's 12-hour outage over the weekend left millions of U.S. users baffled. The platform displayed a message saying, "you can't use TikTok for now," as the ban took effect at midnight on January 19. However, by the afternoon, the app began restoring its services, with messages thanking President Trump for providing "clarity and assurance." By January 20, TikTok was back online, much to the relief of its American users.

Trump's Bold Move

The decision to delay the ban comes with conditions. Trump has reiterated his demand that ByteDance shift TikTok to a joint venture, with at least 50% control under U.S.-based entities. He even went as far as suggesting that the U.S. government should receive 50% of TikTok’s valuation as part of any deal.

Trump, during his inauguration events, said, "We have no choice, we have to save it." He referred to TikTok’s potential new structure as a "joint venture" that would be highly lucrative for the U.S.

Political and Legal Hurdles

Despite Trump's move, the TikTok situation remains far from resolved. The Supreme Court recently upheld the bipartisan law that demands TikTok’s sale to a U.S. company or faces a complete ban. Critics, like Sen. Kevin Cramer, have raised concerns about the legality of the president's executive order to delay the ban. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has stressed the need for a solution that balances data privacy concerns with the app's continued availability.

What’s Next for TikTok?

The next 75 days will be critical for ByteDance and TikTok. Analysts have valued the platform’s U.S. operations at $40 billion to $50 billion, with potential buyers like Elon Musk and other prominent figures reportedly in the mix. ByteDance faces intense pressure to strike a deal, especially after the Supreme Court ruled that national security concerns outweigh First Amendment rights in this case.

The Bigger Picture

This TikTok saga reflects larger tensions between the U.S. and China over data privacy and technology. While TikTok’s 150 million American users celebrate its temporary return, questions about the app’s future remain unanswered. Will ByteDance strike a deal that satisfies all parties? Can TikTok continue to thrive under new ownership?

One thing is certain: the coming weeks will shape not just TikTok's future, but also the broader conversation around tech, privacy, and international relations.

Reference from:- https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/01/20/tiktok-ban-live-updates-trump-halts-ban-for-75-days-after-ceo-attends-inauguration/