In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of reversing the impending ban on TikTok, a popular video-sharing app. While Trump did not make any specific promises, his team has indicated that he will work towards delivering on this issue.
The ban, set to take effect in January, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. This move would mark a significant shift from Trump's previous attempts to block the app in the U.S. or force its sale back in 2020.
Notably, TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, has been given until Jan. 19, 2025, to sell the app or face a U.S. ban. The company is currently fighting the law in court, arguing that it is unconstitutional.
While concerns about national security threats posed by TikTok have been raised by lawmakers from both parties, public support for a ban has dwindled, with only 32% of Americans backing such a measure.
Trump's Cabinet picks, many of whom are China hawks, have supported the ban. However, Trump's focus on TikTok's rival, Meta (formerly Facebook), has also been evident, with the former president labeling Meta as an 'enemy of the people.'
Despite the controversy surrounding TikTok, Trump himself boasts over 14 million followers on the platform and has urged his supporters to vote for him if they wish to save TikTok in America.
As the debate over TikTok continues, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will navigate this complex issue and whether a reversal of the ban will come to fruition.