Trump signals 90-day TikTok ban delay as app braces for shutdown

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday he will "most likely" grant TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a looming U.S. ban after taking office Monday.

The app, used by 170 million Americans, faces a shutdown on Sunday unless its China-based parent, ByteDance, cuts ties with the platform under a Supreme Court-backed law.

“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done because it’s appropriate,” Trump told NBC. “If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

TikTok has captivated nearly half of Americans while powering small businesses and shaping online culture.

It announced Friday that the app would go dark on Sunday without assurances from the Biden administration for Apple, Google, and other partners to avoid enforcement actions.

Legal and political tensions

The White House dismissed TikTok’s announcement as a stunt. “We see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Saturday.

A file photograph of the United States Federal Supreme Court, with the US flag waving in front of the phrase "equal justice under law". Getty Images

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the ban Friday, increasing uncertainty for the app’s U.S. operations. Without a decision to invoke a delay, TikTok’s partners—such as Apple and Google—could face legal liability.

China’s embassy in Washington accused the U.S. of unfairly suppressing TikTok. “China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” a spokesperson said.

Users brace for a ban

On TikTok, users posted farewell messages ahead of Sunday’s deadline. Fitness influencer Britany Williams, with 64,000 followers, asked in a video, “Does anyone know if the TikTok ban goes into effect on Sunday or if we have all of Sunday to like brain rot still?”

TikTok's creators are marching from the US Capitol to the White House, demanding that President Biden keep TikTok, during a rally in Washington DC, USA, on March 13, 2024. AFP

Uncertainty has led many users to explore alternatives, including China-based RedNote, while rivals Meta and Snap have seen stock gains this month.

Possible resolutions

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday, fueling speculation about a resolution.

Media reports suggest Beijing has explored selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to billionaire Elon Musk, though ByteDance denies this.

Analysts estimate TikTok’s value could reach $50 billion. Trump has expressed interest in pursuing a “political resolution” to the issue, urging the Supreme Court last month to pause the ban.

ByteDance remains 60% owned by institutional investors, with founders and employees holding the rest.