US President Donald Trump will grant TikTok a 90-day extension this week, allowing the app to continue operating in the United States while it seeks a non-Chinese buyer. The White House confirmed this on Tuesday, June 17.
This marks the third delay in enforcing a federal mandate that would have compelled the app’s sale or ban due to national security concerns.
The original deadline was set to take effect on January 19, just a day before Trump’s inauguration. The extension provides the administration with additional time to secure a deal that ensures user data security, as stated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Leavitt emphasized that President Trump will sign an additional Executive Order this week to keep TikTok operational. He reiterated Trump’s desire to prevent TikTok from going dark and stated that the extension will last 90 days. The administration will use this time to work on closing the deal so that the American people can continue using TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure.
Trump, who heavily relied on social media during his 2024 election campaign, has publicly expressed a personal fondness for TikTok. In a May interview, he acknowledged having a “little warm spot in his heart” for TikTok and expressed openness to an extension.
Despite long-standing national security concerns related to TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, Trump has recently softened his stance. Analysts suggest that his shift is politically motivated, citing TikTok’s influence among younger voters.
TikTok has become a central point in the broader US-China tech conflict, with concerns that the app’s data practices could benefit the Chinese government. ByteDance has acknowledged ongoing talks with the US government, but they have stated that any sale would require approval under Chinese law.
Proposals on the table involve transferring stakes held by existing US investors in ByteDance into a newly formed independent TikTok entity. Oracle and private equity firm Blackstone are potential stakeholders, and much of TikTok’s US data is already stored on Oracle’s servers.
However, uncertainty remains over the platform’s future, particularly regarding its algorithm, a crucial component of TikTok’s success. Analysts warn that separating TikTok from its core technology could significantly diminish its value.
Despite the legal and political turmoil, TikTok continues to operate normally. On Monday, the platform unveiled a new suite of AI-powered tools for advertisers called “Symphony,” which allows them to generate video content using text and images.
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