Donald Trump asks US Supreme Court to pause law threatening TikTok ban
1. US president-elect previously tried in vain to ban video app on national security grounds during his first term
United States President-elect Donald Trump filed a brief on Friday urging the Supreme Court to delay the implementation of a law set to ban TikTok the day before his January 20 inauguration unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform.
“In light of the novelty and complexity of this case, the court should consider staying the statutory deadline to provide additional time to address these issues,” Trump's legal team argued, emphasizing the need for "the opportunity to pursue a political resolution."
During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump was a staunch opponent of TikTok, citing national security concerns. He unsuccessfully attempted to ban the popular video app, alleging that its Chinese ownership posed risks of user data exploitation or content manipulation by the Chinese government. These concerns were shared by some political rivals but consistently denied by both ByteDance and Beijing.
The Trump administration had previously pushed for a U.S.-based company to purchase TikTok, proposing that the government receive a share of the sale proceeds. His successor, President Joe Biden, went further by signing a law to ban the app on similar national security grounds.
Now, however, Trump appears to have reversed his stance. Speaking at a press conference last week, Trump expressed a newfound appreciation for TikTok, stating that his administration would reassess the potential ban. “I have a warm spot for TikTok,” he said, adding that competition in the social media space is essential.
Earlier this month, Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Trump elaborated on his shift in perspective: “Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m for TikTok, because you need competition. If you don’t have TikTok, you’re left with Facebook and Instagram — and that’s Zuckerberg.”
Trump's criticism of Facebook comes amid lingering tensions with its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, whose company, now part of Meta, banned Trump from its platforms following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attacks. The bans, later lifted, were enacted over fears that Trump might use social media to incite further violence.
Trump’s change of heart regarding TikTok marks a significant departure from his previous stance, potentially signaling a new approach to the app’s future in the U.S.
