Former U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he would consider extending the federal deadline for TikTok’s forced divestiture if a deal is not reached by the current cutoff date of June 19.
Speaking at a campaign rally over the weekend, Trump expressed both criticism and a measured tone on the popular video-sharing app, which is owned by Chinese tech firm ByteDance. While reiterating national security concerns that first emerged during his presidency, Trump said he might support a short-term extension, citing the complexity of ongoing negotiations.
“If they need more time to make a fair deal, I’d be open to giving a little more room,” Trump said. “We want American control, but we also want to do it the right way.”
Background on the TikTok Ban
The Biden administration signed legislation last month requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations by June 19 or face a nationwide ban. The measure, included as part of a broader foreign aid and national security package, gave the Chinese company 165 days to complete a sale to an American buyer.
The law stems from long-standing concerns in Washington that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government to collect data on American users or influence public opinion — allegations both ByteDance and the Chinese government deny.
Potential Buyers and Hurdles
Several U.S.-based companies and investors have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s American assets, though no deal has yet materialized. Analysts say the complexity of the platform’s underlying algorithm — which is tightly integrated with ByteDance’s global infrastructure — poses a major challenge for any divestiture.
Reports suggest that Oracle, Microsoft, and a consortium led by former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are among the interested parties, but none have confirmed formal bids.
Moreover, ByteDance has signaled it would rather fight the legislation in court than sell the platform outright, raising the stakes for the coming weeks.
Trump's Complicated Relationship With TikTok
Trump’s latest comments reflect a shift in tone compared to his administration’s aggressive stance in 2020, when he issued executive orders seeking to ban TikTok and WeChat over similar concerns. Those efforts were later blocked by courts and rescinded by the Biden administration in 2021.
Despite being the first to raise alarm over TikTok’s ties to China, Trump now appears more open to a negotiated solution.
“I was tough on TikTok when it mattered. We were protecting Americans,” Trump said. “But we also don’t want to be unfair. If there’s a real American buyer and the deal’s close, we don’t want to pull the rug out.”
Next Steps
With less than two months until the deadline, legal and political uncertainty looms. ByteDance is expected to challenge the law on constitutional grounds, while lawmakers on both sides of the aisle continue to debate the implications of banning a platform used by over 150 million Americans.
Whether Trump’s remarks will influence the current administration or potential legal outcomes remains unclear. However, his willingness to consider an extension underscores the broader difficulty in balancing national security interests with the realities of global tech ownership.
As the June 19 deadline approaches, the fate of TikTok in the U.S. hangs in the balance — and could yet be shaped by the shifting winds of politics and the courtroom.