Trump Meets TikTok CEO as Ban Deadline Approaches
United States President-elect Donald Trump met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday as the popular social media platform faces a looming ban deadline of January 19, 2025.
The meeting, first reported by CBS News, took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions over a law requiring TikTok’s sale by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or an outright ban in the United States due to national security concerns.
TikTok has filed an emergency appeal with the US Supreme Court to delay the enforcement of the ban, arguing that it would cause “immediate irreparable harm” to both the platform and its millions of American users. The company called TikTok “one of the most significant speech platforms” in the country and requested a delay to allow further legal review and provide time for the incoming administration to reassess the issue.
The US government has cited concerns about TikTok’s alleged links to the Chinese government, which TikTok and ByteDance have repeatedly denied. Proponents of the ban argue it is essential to protect national security, while critics say it could stifle competition and free expression.
Interestingly, Trump, who supported banning TikTok during his first presidency, now opposes the measure, voicing concerns that it might disproportionately benefit rival platforms like Facebook. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Trump remarked, “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, because I won youth by 34 points. There are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that. TikTok had an impact.”
The comment highlights a significant shift in youth support during the recent election. While a majority of voters aged 18 to 29 favored Trump’s Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, Trump gained notable ground among younger demographics compared to the 2020 election, a shift some attribute partly to his engagement on TikTok.
Earlier this month, a federal appeals court upheld the legislation banning TikTok, describing it as the result of “extensive, bipartisan action by Congress and successive presidents.”
With less than a month remaining before the ban is set to take effect, TikTok’s fate hinges on the Supreme Court’s decision and the stance of the incoming administration. Trump’s engagement with the platform during his campaign underscores its political and cultural significance, leaving many to watch closely as the drama unfolds in the courts and beyond.
