President Joe Biden reportedly has no intention of enforcing a TikTok ban that is set to go into effect on Sunday, deferring the fate of the ban to President-elect Donald Trump one day before he takes office.
Why It Matters
A bipartisan bill banning TikTok was passed by Congress and signed into law by Biden last year. While Trump previously called for a ban on the app due to its ties to the Chinese government, he has more recently been opposed to the ban and indicated that he will seek to reverse it.
What To Know
In a report published on Thursday night, an anonymous U.S. official told the Associated Press that Biden would not enforce the ban if it goes into effect on Sunday as expected. The decision on implementing the law banning TikTok, and whether to enforce the ban at all, will instead fall on the incoming Trump administration.
In a statement to Newsweek, Trump-Vance Transition Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that “President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to save Tik Tok, and there’s no better deal maker than President Trump.”
Republican Congressman Mike Waltz, Trump’s nominee for national security adviser, told Fox News on Wednesday that the president-elect was working on “a deal” that would save the app from being banned, while crediting it in part to Trump’s 2024 election win.
“President Trump has been very clear: Number one, TikTok is a great platform that many Americans use and has been great for his campaign and getting his message out,” Waltz said.
“But number two, he’s going to protect their data,” he added. “He’s a deal maker. I don’t want to get ahead of our executive orders, but we’re going to create this space to put that deal in place.”
The fate of TikTok remains a divisive issue in Washington. Some lawmakers remain staunchly opposed to allowing the app to operate in the U.S., while others from either side of the political aisle have argued in favor delaying implementation of the ban despite voting to pass it last year.
What People Are Saying
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, during a speech from the Senate floor on Thursday: “It’s clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer and not disrupt the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, of so many influencers who have built up a good network of followers … I have made my views clear to the current administration. And, I will work with the Trump administration and with both parties to keep TikTok alive while protecting our national security.”
A White House spokesperson, in a previous statement to Newsweek: “Our position on this has been clear: TikTok should continue to operate but under American ownership. Given the timing of when it goes into effect over a holiday weekend a day before inauguration, it will be up to the next administration to implement.”
Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who blocked a legislative effort to extend the ban deadline earlier this week, responding to news that Biden won’t enforce the ban in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: “The Foreign Adversary Controlled App Act takes effect Sunday. The only grounds for a 90-day extension are (a) significant progress (b) in binding legal agreements (c) to close a sale in 90 days. None of that has happened. Penalties for companies like Apple and Google could run as high as $850 billion. Not sure I’d take a politician’s word if I ran those companies…”
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a challenge to the ban last week and could still block the law before it takes effect on Sunday. If the law does take effect but neither administration is willing to enforce the ban, it is unclear whether TikTok will remain accessible in the U.S.
Trump is scheduled to be inaugurated and begin his second term on Monday. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend the inauguration ceremony in “a prime seating location on the dais,” according to AP.
Update 1/16/25, 10:50 p.m.: This article was updated with further information, background and context.
The post Biden Won’t Enforce TikTok Ban as He Punts to Trump: Report appeared first on Newsweek.
