Trump Prolongs TikTok Ban Deadline by an Additional 90 Days

President Donald Trump has granted a 90-day extension for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell the popular short-form video app to an American owner. This decision, announced through an executive order, allows TikTok to continue operating in the United States while negotiations for a sale are ongoing. In a post on Truth Social, Trump confirmed the extension, which pushes the deadline to September 17, 2025.

TikTok expressed gratitude for Trump’s support, highlighting its significance for over 170 million American users and the 7.5 million U.S. businesses that rely on the platform. The company stated that they are committed to working collaboratively with the administration during this process. While traveling on Air Force One, Trump shared his belief that Chinese President Xi Jinping may agree to a deal for the app’s sale.

He noted that Xi’s approval would be necessary if an American buyer emerges. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration’s intent to ensure ongoing access to TikTok for American users, assuaging concerns about data security. Despite an earlier ban initiated during the Biden administration due to national security apprehensions, support for a TikTok ban has waned, influencing users to return to the platform.

TikTok consistently denies any security threats to the U.S. and asserts that American user data is not stored in China. Trump’s administration had previously extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell the app one time before, following considerable interests from potential buyers like Amazon and other entrepreneurs. However, despite ongoing discussions and interest, a deal remained elusive until now.

The new extension marks a significant shift in Trump’s stance on TikTok compared to his first term when he attempted to impose a ban on the platform.