Trump Extends TikTok Ban Deadline Again, Says It’s Time to Get an American Buyer

Source: YouTube

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday granting TikTok another 90 days to continue operating in the United States. This marks the third extension since January, allowing more time for a potential sale of the platform’s U.S. operations to an American company.

The extension keeps TikTok available for its 170 million American users, even though a law passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court requires its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest or shut down operations. The White House says it is still negotiating, but legal experts and lawmakers are questioning the move’s legitimacy.

White House Defend TikTok Ban Extension As Time for a Deal

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration wants to avoid cutting off access to the platform while continuing efforts to ensure American data privacy. She told reporters that President Trump believes the platform is valuable to young users and can be kept running without compromising national security.

“He’s making an extension so we can get this deal done,” Leavitt said. “He wants Americans to keep using the app safely and securely.” Despite the explanation, legal analysts note there is no formal mechanism that allows a president to suspend enforcement of a binding divestment law simply through repeated executive orders.

Republican Senators Show Growing Frustration

Some Republicans who supported the original legislation are openly frustrated. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said the law should be enforced without further delay. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi called the move a bad idea. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said he would prefer the law go into full effect.

Sen. Ted Cruz added that China has used TikTok for propaganda and surveillance, making it essential to follow through on divestment. Others in the Senate expressed concern that the administration is sending mixed signals and weakening the law’s impact.

Trump’s Personal TikTok Presence Adds Complexity

Trump has gained over 15 million followers on TikTok since joining the platform last year. He credits the app with helping him reach younger voters and has called it a “useful tool” for political messaging.

TikTok responded positively to the extension, thanking the president for keeping the platform online. “We are grateful for President Trump’s leadership and support in ensuring TikTok remains available for over 170 million users and 7.5 million U.S. businesses,” the company said.

Analysts Say Platform Stuck in Legal Limbo

Some experts believe the administration’s strategy is turning the issue into a permanent holding pattern. Jeremy Goldman of Emarketer described it as political delay without resolution. “It feels more like a stalled ringtone than a countdown,” he said.

Forrester analyst Kelsey Chickering noted that TikTok’s recent product rollout in Cannes shows the company is not acting like a firm on the verge of exit. “Their behavior signals confidence,” she said, adding that competitors like Snap are unlikely to gain ground during this period.

Public Opinion Divided on Ban Enforcement

A recent Pew Research Center poll shows declining support for a TikTok ban. Only one-third of Americans now back it, while another third oppose the idea. The remainder remain undecided. Among supporters, most cite data security as their primary concern.

The future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. The law mandates divestment, but the administration continues to delay. Unless ByteDance sells the app, the original ban may still take effect, though the timeline is far from clear.

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