Trump Extends Deadline to Keep TikTok Running in The U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump has granted TikTok a second 75-day extension to comply with a law requiring the popular video app to either sell its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban, Jessica Murphy reported for BBC News.

A bipartisan law passed last year gave ByteDance six months to sell its controlling stake in TikTok or face a ban. I Photo: N509FZ

"We do not want TikTok to 'go dark'," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal." TikTok is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance.

The first extension, granted after Trump took office in January, was set to expire on Saturday.

The platform, which claims over 170 million users in the U.S., must be sold under a law passed by Congress unless a new buyer is found.

ByteDance stated it had been in discussions with the Trump administration but said, “An agreement has not been executed.” The company added, “There are key matters to be resolved. Any agreement will be subject to approval under Chinese law.”

The Biden administration had previously raised concerns about national security, warning that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government for surveillance and political influence.

A bipartisan law passed last year gave ByteDance six months to sell its controlling stake in TikTok or face a ban.

Opponents of the ban argue that it could infringe on free speech. Trump may not get what he wants, as China is likely to block any forced sale of TikTok. Without Beijing’s approval, the deal could be dead.