TikTok will continue operating in the United States for at least another 90 days after President Donald Trump announced plans to extend the deadline for its sale for the third time this year.
The Chinese-owned social media platform, which has over 170 million users in the U.S., was facing a nationwide ban following ByteDance’s failure to sell its American operations by a congressional deadline in January. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that Trump will sign a new Executive Order this week to allow more time for a sale to be completed.
“President Trump will sign an additional Executive Order this week to keep TikTok up and running,” Leavitt said. “This move aims to ensure the deal is closed so Americans can continue using TikTok with assurance that their data is secure.”
The extension contradicts bipartisan legislation signed into law by former President Joe Biden last year, mandating TikTok’s divestment over national security concerns or face a complete ban. When asked about the legal basis for the extension, Trump responded, “We do.”
Speaking to the BBC, Trump said he expects Chinese authorities to approve a deal and acknowledged TikTok’s influence on younger voters. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points,” he claimed, despite most polls showing young voters supported Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Several parties remain interested in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations, including Oracle—whose co-founder Larry Ellison is a Trump ally—billionaire Frank McCourt, Canadian investor Kevin O’Leary, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson).
Still, any sale will require approval from the Chinese government, which recently tightened export rules related to sensitive technologies. ByteDance and TikTok have yet to issue an official statement on the latest extension.
Despite lingering geopolitical tensions, analysts believe a ban is now unlikely. “There is nothing ‘looming’ about the TikTok ban anymore,” said Kelsey Chickering, a principal analyst at Forrester. She noted the company’s growing confidence, underscored by the launch of new AI video tools at the Cannes Lions festival.
Nzubechukwu Eze
