Trump Meets TikTok CEO Amid Legal Showdown
Donald Trump met TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on Monday at Mar-a-Lago, Florida. The meeting occurred as TikTok attempts to delay a US ban. CBS News reported the encounter, citing anonymous sources.
A recently passed law demands TikTok’s sale or ban by January 19, 2025. ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, faces mounting pressure to sell the platform. TikTok submitted an emergency application to the US Supreme Court requesting a delay in the ban’s enforcement.
National Security Concerns and ByteDance Allegations
US officials argue ByteDance’s ties to the Chinese government threaten national security. TikTok and ByteDance deny these allegations. The law’s authors claim it protects the US from “foreign adversary-controlled applications.”
Trump’s stance on TikTok shifted despite his earlier support for a ban. He argues the ban could help Facebook, a platform he blames for his 2020 election loss. Trump’s second term begins January 20, one day after TikTok’s deadline for a sale or ban.
TikTok’s filing to the Supreme Court requests a “modest delay” to give time for Court review. TikTok argues the delay allows the incoming administration to assess the issue. The company calls TikTok a major speech platform, warning the ban could cause “immediate irreparable harm” to its users.
A federal appeals court recently rejected TikTok’s request to overturn the ban. The court emphasized the law’s bipartisan backing and support from successive US presidents.
At a Monday press conference, Trump said he might reconsider TikTok’s status. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, because I won youth by 34 points,” Trump said. He acknowledged claims that TikTok’s influence contributed to this shift.
While most young voters supported Kamala Harris in November, Trump’s support grew among 18 to 29-year-olds compared to 2020. Trump’s TikTok presence, launched in June, quickly gained millions of followers during his campaign.