TikTok ban deadline is fast approaching
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
The next deadline for TikTok to be sold or banned is just days from now, but all signs are that President Trump again will kick the can down the road.
The big picture: This is Congressional fecklessness on full display.
- For years there was a bipartisan chorus of concern over TikTok posing a national security risk.
- Today there is virtual silence, even as the app is used by an increasing number of Americans.
Catch up quick: Congress passed legislation in early 2024 that requires TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest control to U.S. interests or else the app would be banned.
- It was signed into law by President Biden and upheld by the Supreme Court.
- Trump, however, has repeatedly used executive orders to provide ByteDance with deadline extensions — even though such moves violate both the law's letter and spirit. The most recent of those is set to expire next Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Behind the scenes: The outline of a divestiture and data security deal has been in place for months. In fact, the latter part was essentially negotiated with Oracle when Trump tried to ban TikTok at the tail-end of his first term.
- Beijing, however, hasn't signed off — and Trump now seems to want TikTok as leverage in stalled trade negotiations.
- There also are several third-party bidders that have submitted alternate proposals, including groups led by Frank McCourt and Steve Mnuchin.
- Multiple sources tell me that the White House has been radio silent on TikTok for a while now. Expectations are that another extension is likely, although they caution to expect the unexpected when it comes to Trump.
Zoom in: As we've previously reported, TikTok's rivals aren't suing to enforce the ban, for fear that such a move could boomerang on them in other countries.
The bottom line: This may well push into 2026.
