Trump Pushes TikTok Divestment Deadline for Third Time
President Donald Trump has decided to extend the deadline for China's ByteDance to sell TikTok's U.S. operations yet again, marking the third extension since he took office in January. The latest reprieve will last 90 days, allowing more time to finalize a deal aimed at securing American users' data safety.
White House Confirms Ongoing Negotiations
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump will sign an additional executive order this week to keep TikTok active in the United States. She emphasized that the president does not want the app to disappear from the American digital landscape.
"This extension will last 90 days, which the Administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure," Leavitt said.
Background: Previous Deadlines and Legal Challenges
ByteDance faced a looming June 19 deadline to divest TikTok’s U.S. business, mandated by a national security law. The Supreme Court recently upheld this law just days before the previous extension expired.
Initially, a January 19 deadline was set for compliance, but Trump signed an executive order upon assuming office that pushed the deadline to April 5. Shortly before that date, he extended the deadline a second time. In May, the president indicated he was prepared to extend the deadline once more if no satisfactory agreement was reached — and now he has.
Impact on TikTok and U.S. Platforms
Before Trump's first executive order, TikTok briefly became inaccessible in the U.S. for one day. App stores like Apple’s App Store and Google Play temporarily removed TikTok during this period but reinstated it in February after clarifications.
Potential Buyers and Future Outlook
Several entities, including major tech companies and billionaire Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. However, it's still uncertain whether the Chinese government will approve any such transaction.
This extension grants both the administration and ByteDance more time to negotiate and complete a deal that satisfies national security concerns, while keeping TikTok accessible to its vast U.S. user base.
