Trump Suggests TikTok Could Stay in U.S. Amid National Security Debate
Trump Acknowledges TikTok’s Campaign Impact
President-elect Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he supports allowing TikTok to operate in the United States—at least temporarily—citing his campaign’s success on the platform. Speaking to conservative supporters at the AmericaFest event in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump highlighted the app’s role in engaging millions during his presidential bid.
“We had a great response with billions of views, billions and billions of views,” Trump said, referencing TikTok’s influence. “They brought me a chart, which was a record… so beautiful to see. I said, ‘Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while.'”
National Security Concerns Loom Over TikTok
Trump’s remarks are among the clearest signs that he may oppose TikTok’s removal from the U.S. market. The app’s future has been jeopardized by legislation passed by the U.S. Senate, requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to divest its ownership. Lawmakers cited concerns over potential Chinese government influence on user data and content moderation as grounds for the decision.
Supreme Court to Decide TikTok’s Fate
ByteDance has challenged the legislation, and the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. Without a favorable ruling or a divestment agreement, TikTok could be banned in the United States as early as January 19—just one day before Trump’s inauguration.
Trump met with TikTok’s CEO on Monday, later expressing his “warm spot” for the platform due to its pivotal role in his campaign. However, reversing the divestiture order could prove complex, as the legislation enjoys bipartisan support in Congress.
TikTok Defends U.S. Operations Amid Criticism
The Justice Department has consistently argued that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a risk to national security. In response, TikTok has emphasized that its U.S. user data is stored on American cloud servers operated by Oracle and that content moderation decisions for American users are made within the United States.
Debate Highlights U.S.-China Tensions
TikTok’s uncertain future reflects broader tensions between Washington and Beijing over data security and digital sovereignty. While Trump’s comments hint at a potential reprieve for the app, the ultimate decision rests with the courts and lawmakers. The outcome could shape the U.S. digital landscape and relations with China for years to come.
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